Learning to drive and first car

FOXGLOVE_2

Decided at the age of 31 that it is time for me to take lessons and get myself a cheap little run-around.

Applied for my provisional and looking around for some recommended instructors. Want to keep the long term costs down so while I am looking for something cheap to buy, want something at least reliable that will last a couple of years. Only looking to spend about £750-£1000 on the car and keep the insurance cost as low as I can. I won't be using it for work, I generally just want a car for weekends, running errands and leisure time I guess.

To get an idea of annual insurance cost, I generated a quote on an 03 plate Corsa and the average was about £500.

I've looked at THIS insurance group guide, but would appreciate any other advice on learning, lessons, insurance, ideal first car - especially what to look for and things like mileage.

Thanks in advance.

InsideInsurance

The insurance groups only judge the cost of repairing and security features of a vehicle. It doesnt include the safety features nor the claims rates for each vehicle.

Avoid anything that you can imagine a teenager driving, insurers have a negative experience with these cars because too many teens wrap them round a tree and get PI claims from all their mates that were in the car. Even with mature drivers partially balancing it out they are still rated higher because on average there are more/ higher claims

Is that quote with you having a provisional or full license? If its provisional, remember the price will go up when you pass. Also ensure the insurer (not broker) will cover you as a newly qualified driver. These are higher risk, hence higher premiums, and so not everyone who takes learners also takes newly qualified meaning an expensive cancellation and loss of part years NCD.

Also, dont use your real details on the aggregator sites. Insurer & brokers are concerned by people doing multiple quotes with slightly different details and will start intentionally inflating quotes

FOXGLOVE_2

InsideInsurance wrote: »

The insurance groups only judge the cost of repairing and security features of a vehicle. It doesnt include the safety features nor the claims rates for each vehicle.

Avoid anything that you can imagine a teenager driving, insurers have a negative experience with these cars because too many teens wrap them round a tree and get PI claims from all their mates that were in the car. Even with mature drivers partially balancing it out they are still rated higher because on average there are more/ higher claims

Is that quote with you having a provisional or full license? If its provisional, remember the price will go up when you pass. Also ensure the insurer (not broker) will cover you as a newly qualified driver. These are higher risk, hence higher premiums, and so not everyone who takes learners also takes newly qualified meaning an expensive cancellation and loss of part years NCD.

Also, dont use your real details on the aggregator sites. Insurer & brokers are concerned by people doing multiple quotes with slightly different details and will start intentionally inflating quotes

Yes, I put quote based on provisional licence. I've typically been looking at small cheap cars which may well fall into the 'teenager' bracket, purely cos I assumed they are the cheapest to insure so that's some wisdom you've given me, I should be looking at a more 'adult' car? Any examples, Ford Focus or something?

Not sure what you mean by not using own details when generating quote. Should I not use real name or put in different address, how do I get an accurate quote if they are basing it on the car being in a different area of the city?

InsideInsurance

FOXGLOVE wrote: »

I should be looking at a more 'adult' car? Any examples, Ford Focus or something?

Not sure what you mean by not using own details when generating quote. Should I not use real name or put in different address, how do I get an accurate quote if they are basing it on the car being in a different area of the city?

To be honest, as I dont have kids, none of our friends have teenage kids etc I really have no idea whats "cool" these days. In my day of hot hatches insurers got heavily burnt by the Citroen Saxo as everyone assumed it was a brand teenagers would hate but then they gave 2 years free insurance and their sales exploded but no in their traditional 45+ market but in teenagers - esp as the VTR model could be gotten by an 18 year old who just passed their test and still get the free insurance. Only the VTS required you to be 21.

The dummy quotes should be just slightly different from your own, a day or twos different in dob, slightly different address but same postcode, dummy name but not cartoon characters etc who are normally flagged etc. Obv once you are ready to actually buy you need to do the real quote using all your genuine details

Paperbird

Why are you looking to buy a car before even having any driving lessons ? As a learner you will only be able to drive it if you have a qualified driver with you.

InsideInsurance

Paperbird wrote: »

Why are you looking to buy a car before even having any driving lessons ? As a learner you will only be able to drive it if you have a qualified driver with you.

Perhaps the same reason as my wife did? So she can practice? Certainly my car isnt suitable for a learner driver with a 3.5L engine though surpising Admiral only wanted an extra £80 premium - Tesco's who I'd switched to wanted an extra £6,000 premium :eek:

FOXGLOVE_2

Paperbird wrote: »

Why are you looking to buy a car before even having any driving lessons ? As a learner you will only be able to drive it if you have a qualified driver with you.

I'm doing research, so that when and if I pass my test, I can buy a car that I will then drive.

I'm not buying a car before lessons. The car is for when I have a licence.

keith1950

Yes, I put quote based on provisional licence.

It might be best to get a quote for what the insurance might be after passing your test to see if you can still afford to run the car ?

FOXGLOVE_2

I'm getting quotes now for about £800 based on me holding a licence for zero months. Cars like Toyota Yaris, Corsa, VW Polo.

That said, Direct Line seem to quote around £1300 for the same cars.

Paperbird

Insurance companies target a different group every month with lower than normal quotes so you could find this months £800 quote will be higher next month

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

Young people, and you, can get reasonable first quotes, a 20 year old lad I know has just got £800 for a 61 plate 1.25 Fester. Daughter, just 21, £600 on a 1.6 Golf. You get killed on premiums on young driver with points or accidents though. As mature driver with 11+ years of protected no claims and no accidents in the last 10 years we still pay around £300.

Don't feel compelled to go for a tiny underpowered car, there didn't seem to be a lot of difference in the quotes. Bear in mind that a significant part of the cost of instance is for repairs to other cars and lampposts and uninsured drivers, and the cost to repair is not always that different for a small car - labour is likely to be similar for replacing a wing on a Polo or a Passat.

If you have a friend who might occasionally drive and has a sound driving record, then they can be a named driver and that can generate a substantial discount - 30% or more.