Making first cars happen
Independent first car guidance for UK families.
We check the insurance groups, safety data and dealers so you don't have to.
Why first car buying got complicated
Insurance went mad
A 17 year old driver now pays £2,008 annually on average. Often the premium is higher than the value of the car.
Little cars got safer
Small cars built from 2009 became safer than old "tanks" from the 1990s thanks to Euro NCAP ratings.
The used car market exploded
Autotrader shows over 400,000 listings but most cars advertised aren't suitable for young drivers.
What parents told us
We helped 50 families find the right first car during our pilot. Here's what they said:
"I avoided spending lots of time looking at cars"
"I found a car quickly within budget"
"Very helpful, fast and personalised"
How Carbi works
We only recommend cars that pass three tests:
- ✓Insurance groups 1-10. Anything higher is unaffordable for a young driver's own policy.
- ✓Post-2009 Euro NCAP ratings. Modern small cars are safer than old big cars. We don't recommend cars built before the safety revolution.
- ✓Dealers rated 4.6+ stars. Verified through Google Reviews. One bad customer experience and they're off our list.
1. Tell us what matters
Budget, location, insurance needs, teen priorities. Takes 2 minutes.
2. We do the legwork
Checking our network of 4.6+ star dealers for low insurance group cars that match your situation.
3. Get your match
We introduce you to the dealer who has the right car. You arrange a viewing and decide if it's the one.
Don't want to wait?
Start making progress now with The First Car Roadmap. A simple 5-step guide to choosing your teen’s first car without the overwhelm. Inside you'll learn:
- How insurance really works (and how to pay less)
- Whether a shared or dedicated car makes sense for your family
- What a realistic budget looks like beyond the sticker price
- Why modern small cars are safer than you think
- How to negotiate with your teen without blowing the budget
Download it now and use it while you're on the waitlist.
Frequently asked questions
Carbi is a car recommendation service for parents of young drivers in the UK. We match you with safe, affordable first cars from trusted local dealers rated 4.6+ stars. Currently in waitlist phase, launching in Edinburgh and expanding based on demand.
Finding a first car has become far more complicated than it needs to be. Parents have to juggle insurance groups, safety ratings, tax, reliability and budget while short on time. Carbi exists to cut through the noise and help parents confidently choose a safe, reliable first car that makes sense for their family.
Autotrader is good if you already know exactly what you want and has over 400,000 cars to choose from. Carbi is 100% focussed on young driver suitabible cars (low insurance groups, and modern safety standards). Plus, not all dealers list all their cars on Autotrader because it's expensive.
Nothing while we're in waitlist phase. In the future, we might charge a small fee to car buyers or dealers. For now, you pay the dealer for the car and that's it.
You fill in a short form with your location and basic requirements. We'll notify you when carbi launches in your area.
Download the First Car Roadmap. It'll get you started and make the whole process less stressful.
Yes. Every dealer must have at least 4.6 stars in online reviews. If any customer reports a bad experience with a dealer we recommended, they're removed from our network.
We're launching in Edinburgh in Q2 2026, with expansion elsewhere based on waitlist demand. Join the waitlist to help us prioritise your area.