Can you help my buy my first car?

I am in the market to buy my first car. I have looked at a 2007 Volkswagen Polo for €5,500 with 80,000 miles; a 2009 Renault Clio with 50,000 miles for €5,500; and a 2007 Opel Corsa with 110,000 miles for €4,500 (all 1.2). It is important to purchase a car that will help to keep my insurance and maintenance costs low.

Any advice on these cars or others that I should consider would be greatly appreciated. Is the best method of purchasing through a dealership?

Niamh, Limerick

Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Niamh,

I'd go for the Polo - of the three you're looking at it's the one (all things being equal) that's likely to be the most reliable. One thing though - you'll have to change it again next year as then it will be 10 years old and it's now proving almost impossible to get an affordable quote for a 10-year old car.