Most Reliable First Cars

These five score highest for reliability among genuinely common, sensibly priced first cars (not niche or performance models). Reliability matters as much as the purchase price for a first car: an unreliable one turns into repair bills nobody budgeted for.

Prices below are current UK asking prices, checked 4 July 2026, not a fixed number: they move with the market. Insurance group and price both depend on the exact registration year and engine, not just the model name, so always confirm both for the specific car you're looking at (see why that is).

1. Honda Jazz
   2017 to 2019 Asking price: £10,099 to £11,999 Insurance group 13 Reliability 93/100
   £295/mo all in £86/mo fuel £17/mo tax

   Highest reliability score of the five. Higher insurance group than the other four here, so check the running cost total, not just reliability.

2. Toyota Aygo
   2009 to 2014 Asking price: £2,844 to £4,695 Insurance group 3 Reliability 92/100
   £232/mo all in £73/mo fuel £2/mo tax

   Reliability and a low insurance group together, and the cheapest to buy and run of this five.

3. Toyota Yaris
   2010 to 2012 Asking price: £3,460 to £3,800 Insurance group 2 Reliability 92/100
   £241/mo all in £81/mo fuel £3/mo tax

   Strong reliability score, though there are few listings at this exact group, so treat the price range as indicative.

4. Hyundai i10
   2015 to 2026 Asking price: £5,495 to £15,424 Insurance group 1 Reliability 90/100
   £236/mo all in £80/mo fuel £2/mo tax

   The lowest insurance group of this five, with a wide price and year range: this group mixes older used examples with nearly-new stock, so check the exact registration.

5. Kia Picanto
   2016 to 2023 Asking price: £9,499 to £12,499 Insurance group 2 Reliability 89/100
   £234/mo all in £76/mo fuel £2/mo tax

   Consistently reliable and a low insurance group, in the middle of this group for price.

Prices and insurance groups checked 4 July 2026.