Buying your first car: a guide for new drivers

How to keep insurance down, what to budget for, and the safest ways to buy your first car.

For most new drivers, insurance costs more than the car itself in the first year. So the smartest way to choose a first car is to get insurance quotes before you fall in love with one.

Keep insurance down

• Pick a low insurance group. Every car is in a group from 1 to 50. Small hatchbacks with small engines are usually in the lowest groups.
• Get quotes for three or four models using the exact registration where you can, and compare.
• Consider a black box (telematics) policy, which bases your price on how you actually drive.
• Avoid modified cars. Changes such as alloy wheels or body kits can raise the price or stop insurers covering you.

Budget for the whole year

As well as the price of the car, budget for insurance, road tax, fuel, an MOT, a service, and a few hundred pounds for things like tyres or brakes.

What to look for

• A full service history and an MOT history with few advisories.
• Good tyres and brakes, and no warning lights on the dashboard.
• Five doors and plenty of safety equipment, such as several airbags and electronic stability control.

Take someone experienced with you to the viewing, use our used car checklist, and never pay before you've seen the car and its documents. Browse first cars on Motorlane to compare prices.