Help me choose my first car please!

[Hamsternautss]

I need to buy my first car ready for passing my test and with 3 young kids I've narrowed it down to a Peugeot 5008.

I've put my max amount as 25k but ideally I'd prefer to pay less than this. We are a 1 income family at the moment so not looking to splurge.

I just dont know if I should go for an older or newer model and what my max mileage should be. I don't want to have to keep forking out to fix faults but equally it's going to probably get quite a few scratches ans wear and tear etc

If anyone has any ideas of which car out of these 32 they'd gor for please let me know, thank you
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertising-location=at_cars&fuel-type=Petrol&fuel-type=Petrol%20Hybrid&make=Peugeot&maximum-seats=7&minimum-seats=7&model=5008&postcode=Gu1%201aa&price-from=500&price-to=25000&radius=60&seller-type=trade&sort=relevance&transmission=Automatic&year-from=2018

What ever car you buy make sure it's an automatic. !!!!!!!!

you can't go wrong with a Japanese car

I wouldn't spend tonnes on a first car to be honest, of course you want it to be safe and to not be a money pit but I'd go for a reliable, sturdy workhorse and then find get something newer and invest in a year or so. It really is true that its only when you pass that you really learn to drive, you'll figure out what features you like, what annoy you, what transmission you want etc. I've always found Kias to be reasonably priced, good safety reviews and reliable.

Whatever you buy check insurance quotes before you buy! It's ludicrous at the moment.

I had to buy first cars for my teens and like a pp I cross referenced insurance before deciding on a car. I settled on a Ford and a Kia because of reliability insurance cost and relatively cheap to fix.

Find a support group in Facebook and get a feel for the potential issues for the car. Some of the Peugeots have electric handbrakes that can be problematic. Check the service and mot history.

Check the insurance and tax costs
Find out about costs if tyres and servicing
Budget for gap insurance
Make sure it comes with a warranty
Look at the returns policy
Pay a deposit with a credit card to get section 75

Why?

I absolutely would not be spending that on a first car, nor would I buy a Peugeot.

Have you looked for lists of cars that fit three seats if that’s what you need? Is one big enough for a booster seat?

I have 3 kids and treated myself recently to a new to me car. I’ve been driving 19 years and picked up a 6 year old Hyundai Tucson for 12k with less than 30 000 on the clock. Had I been a newer driver I’d be looking at probably choosing a much older model with higher mileage for the first couple of years.

Why?!