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First car

Hi everyone,

I just passed my driving test and I am looking to buy a car for the first time.
I was looking at the insurances and I kinda got confused that what am I supposed to look for exactly?
I also heard that as a first time driver, I cannot get a car insurance that covers a car with engine size of 1.5L but not sure how true is this?!

Thanks for your responses in advance :biggrin:

Reply 1

plenka

I'd suggest making an account on an insurance comparison site such as GoCompare and seeing the prices for different cars. I believe engine power makes a larger difference than engine size itself due to variations in things like turbos, but as a general rule look for 1.2L or less otherwise insurance will be very expensive. Also try to avoid certain cars that have reputations for being for 'boy racers'. Some to consider are:
VW Polo or Up
Hyundai i10
Ford Fiesta (a friend of mine has one and is happy with it)
Kia Picanto
Seat Ibiza
Fiat Panda or 500 (my car).

Also Autotrader is a good site to use to look for cars, you can sort them in many categories incl engine size and power, type of seller etc, and it makes it easy to look up insurance.

Reply 2

Helpmeedu

Generally, there aren't strict rules about engine sizes for first-time drivers, but it's true that some insurers might impose restrictions or higher premiums on larger engines due to the perceived risk. It’s best to shop around and compare quotes from different insurers. Look for policies that offer good coverage but also consider the cost-effectiveness for younger or inexperienced drivers.

Also, when you find the right car, especially if it needs to be transported to you, make sure it’s done safely. Here’s a helpful guide on how to ensure your car is transported without any damage: https://www.a1autotransport.com/tips-to-transport-your-car-without-damaging-it/. This could be useful if you end up buying a car that isn't local.

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 3

kitkat_00

I am in Ireland so maybe rules are slightly different, but I bought my first car in 2019 about a year after passing my test. I was insured on my mothers car for the first year. I bought a 2015 ford fiesta 1.5L diesel - she is still my baby to this day has never let me down!

Insurance was quite high at the beginning, but mainly because i had an accident previously in my mothers car and had to claim insurance to cover it. Prices dropped quickly over the years as I have not had to claim anything since, and always shopped around for the best value when renewing each year, so my insurance is low now... basically yes insurance is a killer when you're a young new driver but it shouldn't be outrageous. I started at €2,600 and this year was €650.

It's important to know the older your car the more expensive insurance as well, as it's more likely to have issues. That's why my dad encouraged me to wait longer to save money and buy a newer model, my car was only 4 years old, which cost me more but saved with insurance cost in the long run. As far as I'm aware engine size can effect the cost as they see it that a bigger engine the more damage you can cause from reckless driving, but if you can afford it, it shouldn't matter your age/first time status.

Congrats on passing your test and happy shopping! 🚗

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 4

Dunnig Kruger

Start by looking at the car insurance groups list:
https://www.carinsurancegroups.co.uk/groups-list/

Get insurance quotes off sites like Go Compare / Money Supermarket for Group 1 cars such as 2010 Chevy Spark or VW Fox. And compare it to quotes for Group 2, 3, 4, 5 cars.

You probably want to aim for non-black box insurance. With you as the main driver and 1 or 2 relatives, mum, dad, aunt etc with impeccable records as named drivers. Comprehensive will probably be cheaper than 3rd party fire and theft insurance.
Try different options to see what quotes you can come up with.
If you have a job, eg sales assistant, that may well lower your premiums compared to being a student.

The cost of your first years insurance should be more than you pay for the car. It would be financial madness for you to spend more than £3000 on your first car. You can get some good little Group 1 cars for about £1500 these days. With you keeping a kitty of £500 for repairs, servicing, new tyres.

A noddy, cheapo, basic Group 1 car is fine as a starter car. As it's your freedom. And they tend to be relatively basic and simple to work on, with cheap parts, tyres etc. As well as good for fuel economy.

Once you've got a couple of years no claims with no convictions you may find you can move to a Group 4, 5 or 6 car for affordable difference to your premiums. And a few years after that you can graduate to a Mercedes with a 265 BHP 3 litre V6 turbo-diesel.