What Car? Q&A - Which is the safest car for youngsters?

Q: I need to buy a car for my 18-year-old son who has recently passed his test.

I am worried by the appalling statistics involving youngsters in crashes and I want to buy a car with the most safety features I can get, including ABS and a driver's airbag.

I have a budget of around £3000 and am allowing an additional £700 for car insurance.
Paul Munro

A: We've recently produced a buying guide for young drivers. Click here to find the best car for your child - we've included prices ranging from £800 to £7500.

As you will see, our best buy in the sub-£3000 bracket is the Toyota Yaris 1.0 16v GS.

Prices start from around £2100, and it comes with two airbags. Anti-lock brakes were also standard from February 2001.

Other recommendations include the Nissan Almera 1.5 and the Renault Clio 1.2 Authentique.

The Nissan has plenty of safety kit, but its stodgy image might not go down too well with your son.

The Clio is a great car, if a little less reliable than the Toyota and Nissan.

If you can stretch to £3500, we'd highly recommend going for a Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic.

It's a much more modern car, and there's plenty of safety equipment as standard.

Some cars were even fitted with stability control, side airbags and curtain airbags - options well worth looking out for.