Family car for new driver, or young person's own car

wotsitswhynot

I'm a year off my oldest child turning 17.  We currently are a one car family, our car is an MPV with a front end that you can't see the end of from the driver's position - fine for me and husband but I think would be risky for a new driver, if we don't want the front bashed.  So we are thinking about getting a smaller second car, with the intention our 17 yo can use it when the time comes, and later our 15yo similarly.  It would likely turn into my main car as I expect a small car would be more economical for my short commute, so we wouldn't be 'fronting' - although we'd have to keep that under review to make sure we didn't inadvertently fall into that situation.  We're trying to work out the insurance implications - does it make sense to buy a small car ahead of time to build up some insurance on it for me, then potentially add 17yo - although then we have all the costs of a second car before we actually need one.  It feels crazy and a lot of money to buy a second car when we don't 'need' one, but in a couple of years across 4 people in a family at that point it is likely to be very useful.  

tacpot12

I think you need to be realistic about whether your 17 yo will use the car more than you, if they get used to having access to it. If they will, then they need their own insurance, you can be a named driver on their insurance (adding you shouldn't make any difference to their premium if you have a good driving record). 

If you are sure that you will be able to use it as your car for commuting, then they can go on your insurance but expect that the cost for them when they have passed their test to be substantial - at least £3000 even on the cheapest, lowest risk car.  Expect to pay £2,000 - £2,500 for any reasonable old car, plus car tax, maintenance, breakdown cover, etc, so consider whether you can afford all the total running costs. 

I doubt there will be any benefiot to starting the insurance or buying the car earlier than you actually need to. The insider whould give you credit for your no-claims history. 

daveyjp

Having just been through a 17 year old taking lessons and passing the tests I wouldn't buy a car now just on that basis.

Whilst our daughter has passed she hasn't driven since doing so as at 17/18 personal circumstances can change significantly over a short period and I know any insurance policy will need three policy changes between now and August!

If you want a car to generate some NCB by all means do so.

DullGreyGuy

daveyjp said:

Having just been through a 17 year old taking lessons and passing the tests I wouldn't buy a car now just on that basis.

Whilst our daughter has passed she hasn't driven since doing so as at 17/18 personal circumstances can change significantly over a short period and I know any insurance policy will need three policy changes between now and August!

If you want a car to generate some NCB by all means do so.

Why haven't they driven?

It will clearly vary depending on where you, their friends live and where they work, study etc. Pre-passing test I had two buses to catch to get to school, work was a few doors down from the school, buses were only a couple an hour so took a long time but there was plenty of unrestricted on street parking. No idea how you'd get to our rugby grounds without a car, no bus stops near it and Google suggests a 1 hour walk along a dual carriageway. Friends were all over the place too for when not meeting in town.  Went from a frequently moaning mother based taxi service (for friends/rugby) to my car rarely on the driveway it was in use so much.


My car was bought before I was 17 but that was because it was seen as a bargain, a Mk1 Ford Fiesta GL owned from new by the wife of a mechanic my mother worked with. The idea was she'd use it occasionally but she didnt like the manual choke or quarterlight windows 


Building up NCD will only work if you are sure you'll remain the main driver/policyholder after they've passed their test. 

mgfvvc

wotsitswhynot said:

...  It feels crazy and a lot of money to buy a second car when we don't 'need' one, but in a couple of years across 4 people in a family at that point it is likely to be very useful.  

I'd agree with crazy. Buy another car when you need it.