Find the right first car this weekend
A clear roadmap to choosing a safe and reliable first car.
Plus how to minimise insurance costs.
Carbi feedback from parents of young drivers
"I avoided spending lots of time looking at cars"
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The 5-step plan to your teen's first car
The First Car Guide untangles the decisions that make buying a first car stressful, so you can move through them one step at a time.
Understand insurance
Insurance is the biggest cost and the first decision. Get the insurance group right and every other choice gets simpler.
Own or shared car?
Should your teen have their own car or join a family policy? This one decision shapes your budget, your risk and their freedom.
Set the real budget
The sticker price is rarely the biggest cost. We break down the true first-year spend so there are no nasty surprises.
Choose a safe car
A modern small car is safer than an old “tank”. Learn exactly when superminis got safe, and what to check on a viewing.
Handle the teen negotiation
Phone connectivity, looks, freedom — most teen must-haves are cheap to solve once safety and cost are locked in.
Why a first car needs a plan
Figures from the First Car Guide, drawing on ABI insurance-group data, MoneySavingExpert and Euro NCAP.
First car questions parents ask
How much does it cost to insure a first car for a 17-year-old?
As of January 2026, the average premium for a 17-year-old driver is £2,008 — in many cases more than the car is worth. The two biggest ways to bring it down are choosing a car in insurance groups 1–5 and using a telematics (black box) policy; going without a black box can add £2,000 or more.
What's the cheapest car to insure for a 17-year-old?
Look in insurance groups 1–5. The VW Up!, Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 sit right at the bottom, with the VW Polo, Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa a step up. The insurance group matters more than the purchase price — a cheap car in a high group can cost £3,000+ a year to insure.
Should I buy my son or daughter their own car, or add them to our policy?
It depends on how much they drive. If your teen does most of the driving they must be the main driver — listing a parent to save money (“fronting”) is insurance fraud. Their own policy costs more upfront but builds a no-claims discount, and premiums can be 30–50% lower by age 19–20.
Is a small, modern car safe enough for a new driver?
Yes — a modern small car is safer than an old “tank”. Euro NCAP's tougher five-star standard arrived in 2009, and ultra-high-strength boron steel (up to four times stronger than ordinary steel) became common in the pillars. Aim for a 2011/2012-plate car or newer with a five-star rating.
How much should I budget for a first car in total?
The purchase price is rarely the biggest cost. Once you add insurance, road tax, fuel, MOT and maintenance, a £3,000 car typically means budgeting £6,000–£8,000 for the whole first year.