First Car Advice for DD

[PinkPaeonies]

Hi there, I have a DD who is 25 and just passed her driving test - she's looking at buying her first car and needs some advice. I'm wondering what is the best way forward practically and financially. I'm confused as to whether it would be better to buy an old car that she can drive for a couple of years or so while she gets experience - the budget would be a couple of thousand for the car, plus insurance. She would have to pay for servicing\petrol\upkeep. Or would it be better value \sense to take on one of those schemes where you put down a small deposit and pay monthly for a new car - with free insurance for the first year and free servicing, and after 4 years return the car or switch for a new one or keep it and refinance to pay the balance owing? Any thoughts, MN? What did your DC do? She doesn't earn much money and I'm thinking that an old car might be risky in terms of reliability? Any advice much appreciated.

I bought a Hyundai i10 with a bank loan. It was 6 moths old and had a five year warranty. It's a brilliant little car and cheap to run.

I’d go for a just add fuel car.... does she have a good credit rating too get one? Peugeot do a lot of just add fuel schemes... so insurance , servicing etc are all paid for

Bear in mind that the average insurance for a young driver is around £1300. You need to consider safety, reliability, economy, comfort. If she can get a just add fuel one, I think I’d go for that. It’s better that she isn’t a teenager.

I had a Suzuki alto for similar age au pairs, cheap insurance, very economical to run, low tax. Sold it for what I bought it for 3 years later.

Insurance for it was about £300 a year.

I spent £1k on my first car, sold it 2 years later and treated myself to a BMW 320D Msport!

Get a cheap one, the amount of times I reversed into fences trying to park was unreal!

You can buy perfectly good used cars from reputable dealers, and still get warranties and finance deals. It will be cheaper, and you can still have reliability problems with a new car.

Thank you so much everyone - lots of ideas here to explore - I have never heard of just add fuel - sounds interesting - I should also look at bank loans and other finance deals too. Thanks again for all your help. X