Tips and advice for new drivers

It’s an exciting time – you’ve passed the driver’s test and are now looking for a car. We’ll help to make it easier and share top tips and advice on what to look for when choosing the first car. Factors, such as insurance, road tax, other additional costs, safety, as well as reliability, will play a major role in what car is suitable for you.

Cost

First thing’s first, consider the cost of the car. If buying new, it will cost significantly more than purchasing a used model. Bring a friend or a family member that has more experience to inspect the car if buying used. Ultimately, it’s not worth getting the car that will break down once a year passes, the extra hassle and costs are just too much. Make sure that the car is in excellent condition and is well-looked before purchasing. The same also applies to new cars.

Safety

Drivers that are just starting out should look at a car with advanced safety features. Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) is a great resource to check how safe a car is. The ratings vary from 1 to 5 stars and feature extensive data about safety equipment, as well as a video demonstration about how the car holds up to a car-crash test.

When buying a car look out for these safety features:

Anti-Lock Braking

It activates when you suddenly press the brakes to avoid the loss of grip on the road. The system then applies the optimal pressure for braking.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

It comes as a standard safety feature in all of the cars manufactured post-2014. ESC works in a way that ABS does by correcting the driver’s actions. For example, if a driver is not steering enough around the bend or oversteering, it helps to complete a manoeuvre safely.

Four-wheel steering

Four-wheel steering offers better control of the car, especially in winter, when the roads are icy and slippery. Because of this, four-wheel steering is considered to be a safety feature. However, it comes with a hefty price tag and can be difficult to replace.

Blind spot warning

Blind spot warning is straightforward – it notifies the driver of the oncoming collision or when it’s too close to certain objects.

Smart seatbelt reminder

This is one useful feature –the reminder starts beeping if the seatbelts aren’t fastened and doesn’t stop until they are finally secured. All the cars produced in the EU since 2019 September, are required to have the smart seatbelt reminder in both back and front seats.

Insurance and road tax

As a first-time driver, insurance will be one of the most expensive parts of owning the car. Especially if you’re young, expect to pay more. 17-19 year-olds, on average pay £1,048, while 20-24 year-olds pay £954. Comparatively, 25-29 year-olds pay £723 per year for fully comprehensive insurance. According to Department for Transport data,  the premiums are higher because young drivers are more prone to accidents (with 1 in 4 being involved in a car crash).

With that in mind, another additional cost to consider is the road tax. The cars that produce low CO2 emissions also have lower road tax, so take note when buying a car. There are also times when paying road tax isn’t necessary, to be eligible the vehicle needs to:

• Have no CO2 emissions
• Must be brand new
• Cost less than £40,000

A few mentions of the best first cars

Fiat 500

Its compact size is perfect for navigating narrow city streets. The car is stylish and has a retro design that made it so popular with first-time drivers. A used Fiat , whether 500, 500L, 500X or Panda offers substantial savings, especially when compared to other models and makes.

Volkswagen up!

Volkswagen cars are among the most reliable and safe. It’s a no-brainer that VW up! is one of the best first cars. The insurance rates are low too with an average yearly insurance cost of £407.46.

Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta is an affordable option which is also one of the best-selling cars in the UK. It is a small city car that is nimble and has affordable yearly insurance costs, similar to VW up!

Vauxhall Corsa

Another car that deserves the best first car mention is a classic Vauxhall Corsa. It is cheap to run, looks good and offers a pleasant driving experience.

Conclusion

Choosing your first car is a step towards adulthood which is exciting. Just make sure to equip yourself with as much knowledge as possible before committing to The One. Don’t forget to add up all the costs and see whether it’s worth the investment. Happy shopping!