WITH the new university terms just around the corner lots of students are searching for affordable cars. The average student wants a car that is cheap, which means you need small engines for the insurance and cars that have depreciated a lot without piling on mileage that makes them likely to break down. They also need a lot of carrying space because three times a year they make a pilgrimage from home to campus and back again while carrying everything they own - duvets, ironing boards, large inflatables and lava lamps. There are also the regular 'road trips' for everything from Hogmanay to Glastonbury. Finally, they need to consider that they may well crash. So while small cars like Kia Picantos and Fiat Puntos are cheap to insure and seem unintimidating to new drivers, they don't have the load space, are relatively expensive to buy and can crumple in a prang. Here are three bigger cars that are still affordable: Rover 25 One of the longest-serving production cars ever, the Rover 25 still handles well, has lots of space and comes with a 1.1 litre engine if you shop around. Best student buy: 1.1 litre petrols UsedCarExpert fault checks: 16 UsedCarExpert.co.uk price guide: A 9 year old one with 35,000 miles (Yes that low! Because they were all owned by the retired) is just £1,700-£2,000. Seat Ibiza A Seat Ibiza is much cooler than the others. It is chirpy to drive but also spacious and well made. Yet the 1.2 petrol is in cheap insurance groups 2-3. Best student buy: 1.2 litre petrol UsedCarExpert fault checks: 8 UsedCarExpert.co.uk price guide: A 2002 will have an average mileage of 60,000 and be £2,100 - £2,800. Kia Rio While it’s not cool, a Kia Rio is rare, which means you won’t have the mickey taken as much as you will with the Rover - no one will know what to say. Size-wise it’s bigger than a Picanto or Ford Ka, but smaller than a Focus or Astra – ideal for a student. Best student buy: 1.3 litre petrol UsedCarExpert fault checks: 10 UsedCarExpert.co.uk price guide: Cars from 2005 are best, but they are £3,000 and more. Eight year old cars are under £2,000 though. | 
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