WE SEE NEW DRIVERS ON THE ROAD EVERYDAY. DID YOU KNOW?
- An 18 year-old driver is three times more likely to be involved in a collision than a 50 year-old.
- 20% of new drivers have a collision within six months of being on the road.
- New drivers have more crashes in the evenings and early mornings.
It’s expensive to be a new driver on the road and the three biggest costs are insurance, the cost of the vehicle and upkeep. This means you’ll likely want a reliable cheap vehicle that doesn’t cost the earth.
The prices below show the costs of brand new models*
BUT WHICH CAR TO CHOOSE? HERE A FEW OPTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER:
FORD KA+
The Ford KA looks great and is practical. The KA+ provides an excellent 5-door spin on the traditional KA model and is well packaged with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, with a fuel economy of 57 mpg. One thing that the KA+ does fall down on is the 3 star NCAP safety rating.
From – £11,300
CITROEN C1
The Citroen C1 is one of the most reliable cars on the market. An excellent starter car, it’s one of the most affordable and cheapest to run. Offering excellent fuel consumption, there’s no tax to pay also. Basically, if you want a low-powered motor that gets you from A to B, try the C1.
From – £9,275
HYUNDAI I10
The Hyundai i10 is a city car that looks really stylish, whilst still offering low running costs and a great purchase price. It was also named the Best City Car in 2018 by What Car? A great option for new drivers looking for a reliable run-around.
From – £9,000
FIAT 500
The iconic Fiat 500 is a popular option for many new drivers and is actually really fun to drive. The 0.9 TwinAir engine will give you up to a staggering 74.3 mpg, which keeps running costs on the low side and it will keep your insurance prices down too.
From – £11,250
PEUGEOT 108
The Peugeot 108 closely resembles the Citroen C1 but offers its own great little package of fun driving. The well rounded 108 picks up 68.9 mpg making it a great option for new drivers, especially for cheaper insurance.
From £11,200
NEW DRIVERS TEND TO GO DOWN TWO ROADS
The first path for those who are happy (for the moment) to be placed on the insurance of family members and their cars. They can’t choose the car they drive, but they are happy to just be on the road. This works out to be less expensive in the short term, but it will mean that the new driver is not building up a no claims discount on their own policy. The other path a new driver may take is one facing the challenging challenge of choosing their own vehicle. This option requires a large financial commitment, but ultimately, it works out a lot better in the long run as they will own their own car and will be building up a no claims record on their own policy.
It is important to remember that just because something is affordable, doesn’t mean corners are cut on the features. New drivers will always benefit from smaller, low powered vehicles for their first car. Until a reasonable length of no claims insurance is built up, you’ll find these types of cars perfect for day-to-day driving.
USED CARS vs NEW CARS
If you’re wanting to save money and get on the road on your own policy, it might be better to get a used car. Many of the options listed above offer excellent used cars at better prices
with very similar performance.
Whilst you can choose exact specifications on a new car, many used cars are available straight away and will come with lower insurance premiums because car value is lower. If the car comes with full-service history, you’ll know that the car has been properly cared for.
If you’re getting a used car, it’s often best to cover yourself against the unlikely event that your vehicle needs repairs. This is where used car warranty can help. Warrantywise stands out for its tailored approach, allowing customers to choose coverage that best suits their needs and budget, making it a preferred choice for many car owners seeking extended protection beyond the manufacturer’s warranty.