I'm a new driver - can you advise on first-time car purchase?

Posted by leyjl2@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 19 comments

I'm 32M based in London and just passed my manual driving test about a month ago. Want to buy my first car but don't know where to start looking or what car I should go for to keep the costs low. I've heard insurance can be quite high but can also depends on the car you go for. Any advices here on what car I should go for and where to even start looking for one? Any comments or help would be much appreciated as I genuinely am quite clueless about these things. Thanks!

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Eyerald@reddit

get something small and cheap to insure like a yaris or fiesta or civic. check mot history online before buying its free. but one thing people always miss - test the safety systems if the car has them. front assist, lane keep, parking sensors. a lot of used cars have misaligned cameras from old windscreen or bumper repairs. adas line fixed a mates car after he bought it. also avoid private sellers unless you know what youre doing. good luck bro

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Curious_Willow_3980@reddit

Totally dependant on your address. I’m 31M and haven’t passed yet, but my insurance on a £5k 2015 Vauxhall Mokka will be £480 for the year since I moved house (and have a mortgage). 2 months ago at my old rented address it was £1600

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leyjl2@reddit (OP)

That is quite a difference!

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Kiss_It_Goodbyeee@reddit

What will you be using it for? A car for a 50 mile daily commute is different to a weekend car. Plus, what's your budget?

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leyjl2@reddit (OP)

Would mostly be for weekend driving around and maybe the occasional trip to another city. I want to be able to keep up my manual driving skills as I’m worried I’ll lose the ability if I don’t drive for a long time

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Kiss_It_Goodbyeee@reddit

Then a little city hatchback would be ideal. Have a look on autotrader for options in the 1 l engine size within your budget. Important to check the insurance rating to keep costs down; the smaller the number, the cheaper the insurance. Avoid sporty models for this reason.

Got a couple of cars with my children after they passed over the last couple of years. One got a 2010 Peugeot 106, the other a 2014 Mini One. The Mini would be better on motorways than the Peugeot.

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Still-BangingYourMum@reddit

An old ratty looking Vectra or early Focus, cheap to buy, easy to fix, parts are readily available and it's old enough and rough enough to scrape or dent without loosing your sleep over.

My 1st car was a Mk2 Astra estate 1.4 artic spec. Great car, basic tool kit and everything was fixable, 2nd car was a Fiat Marea Weekend SX estate. Total bag of shit to look at but very comfy and spacious inside.

Or go for a CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, love it or hate it styling, very comfortable to drive loads of space cheap yo buy and run and you get waved at by other PT owners.

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FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit

You first step must be to check some cars you are thinking of on comparethemarket or another comparison website. You're past the age bracket for high accident rates so you may be surprised what you can have now.

Try a VW Golf 1.5, Toyota Auris, Ford Focus 1.6, and similar cars - choose one 5 years old. If the price for insurance on those is OK for you then you should be able to insure most any mid-range car. If you're thinking of something zoomier or upmarket brand, asking is free, so try them too.

Then get used to Auto Trader. Start looking at cars there, and learn to tune the age/mileage/write-off (you want NO Cat N/S/etc)/etc to be what you want.

As to where to buy, since you haven't got a lot of car knowledge: definitely a dealer and not a private sale. Probably preferably one of the big-warehouse sellers (motor giant, etc) because their cars are straightforward although not as cheap as you could get by going to a small dealer or private, but avoids the risks of those. If you want to be more sure, buy a 1-year guarantee with it so you're covered if anything expensive breaks soon after you buy it.

Then go try some cars out, see how they feel.

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MbembasTuxedo@reddit

I’m a similar age to you, passed a few months back.

I got a 2022 Yaris. Does everything I need, put about £30/40 of petrol a month in it, insurance is about £150 per month but it’s the first year driving so it’ll always be higher and will come down.

No matter what you get, it’ll feel like a lot because it’s an expense you didn’t have before.

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beernon@reddit

Golf/Polo

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MbembasTuxedo@reddit

Insurance will be high

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KT180x@reddit

Key things are getting a small engine (so lower fuel costs, lower insurance, lower tax, lower cost for repairs and tyres), making sure youre presenting your occupation in the most professional way of the options available, and considering adding one of your parents on the insurance (with their permission) as this usually makes it cheaper. I still have my mum on mine and im 37, pretty sure it will stop making it cheaper soon! She's never once driven my car.

You will pay more just for living in London, and it also depends where you keep your car at night.

I would also consider if you really need a car if you live in London?

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seadoubleyou73@reddit

I've got a fiat panda, does 50 to the gallon which makes it cheaper than an electric car to fuel, £37 a year tax, parts are dirt cheap and doesn't go fast enough to make you lose your licence in your first year. Seems to be 2 types of drivers, nanas (like me) and younger 'quirky' guys.

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whittingtonwarrior@reddit

I’d suggest some sort of small, simple, reliable city car, but really depends on your needs and your budget. Then consider if you planning to lease, finance, or buy outright? Used or new etc.

If it was me, I’d be looking at something like a VW Up, or a derivative of it.

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