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Original poster

Should a 17 year old buy a new car for their first car?

67 replies

Jamie7399 · 25/07/2017 11:27

Hi all,

I'm soon going to be turning 17, and taking driving lessons & test.

My background: I currently run my own business which earns me a significant amount and allows me to live comfortably. I will be completing an apprenticeship (as it's the law to stay in education until 18) for an A Level and an extra salary so the money wouldn't be an issue.

At the moment, I'm looking at getting a car on business lease (not finance) where I get a new car every 24 months and just pay a monthly amount of £220 (which is incredibly doable in my situation). That's for a brand new Mercedes A Class AMG Line. It's been my motivation to work hard for so long and now I'll be in a position to have it.

As the money isn't an issue with leasing/insurance etc, I wanted to ask for some opinions from parents & drivers of different ages:

  • Should a 17 year old have a brand new car for their first car? (If not, why not?)
  • What are your thoughts on leasing? (Yes, I know I will not own the car, however it's 24 months contract meaning I will pay £6,400 over two years when in two years a brand new A class will have lost £11,000 in depreciation so it's the best option for a new car)
OP posts:
SandyDenny · 25/07/2017 12:14

Gahbuggerit - all the literature from the local college that was given out on an open day was A level OR apprentcieship, I'd love my dc to be able to do both, come on Jamie, spill the beans on how you find such a thing Grin

SandyDenny · 25/07/2017 12:16

Cross posted, Jamie, sorry

OK, so not actual A levels then, I'm disappointed now as I briefly thought there was such a thing.

Without being pedantic they aren't actually the same thing although they may count as the same for some things

WellErrr · 25/07/2017 12:16
  1. You can't get a business lease car until you're 18.
  1. I suspect you already know this.
  1. Fishing for compliments/pats on the back will not win you friends.
GahBuggerit · 25/07/2017 12:16

Oh cool my friends partner used to run his own SEO business. Id definitely wait a little while before getting into any real debt then just to make sure its going to be consistent and steady.

How did you find an apprenticeship that offers an A level? My niece would love to do an A level but wouldnt suit a classroom type environment, an apprenticeship would be perfect.

Serafinaaa · 25/07/2017 12:17

My first car was a brand new Ford Ka. It came with a year of free insurance and I paid it on finance (I was 18). It was not a lease so I didn't have to worry about Mileage etc. I didn't scratch or dent it ever! So it's not a given that it will get damaged.

Lemond1fficult · 25/07/2017 12:18

Don't do it! I've just qualified aged 35 and been driving for 7 months. In that time, I've scraped my passenger door in a multi-story car park, scraped my hub caps learning to parallel park in my new car (each car is different) and had my bumper scratched while parked up by someone who didn't leave their details.

My car is worth £2k with a 1litre engine. If I was driving a lovely new car like the one you're after, I would mind a whole lot more. As it is, I'm going to wait til next year and look at getting something slightly more powerful for motorway driving.

GahBuggerit · 25/07/2017 12:18

Sorry X post, so its not an A level as such. Damn!!!

GahBuggerit · 25/07/2017 12:20

WellErrr - indeed Wink

Original poster
Jamie7399 · 25/07/2017 12:21

The age isn't an issue due to the type of business lease.

Just looking for genuine opinions, which I agree is rare from someone my age to actually take advice on board but I have no driving experience other than lessons, so I value the input of everyone here.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jamie7399 · 25/07/2017 12:23

I think that would also be the most sensible option for me too. The little scrapes would be 10x more devastating on a mercedes than a 1l polo haha.

OP posts:
MackerelOfFact · 25/07/2017 12:24

At that age, I'd save the £200+ per month (plus insurance, which is going to be hefty, even if you say it's not an issue) and put it into savings.

Your digital marketing agency might be doing well at the moment, but it must be a very new venture if you're only 16 now, and you have no idea what lies round the corner. You don't want to be broke and in possession of a single A-Level and a car you don't own.

RockyBird · 25/07/2017 12:27

I had a leased a class Amg sport. It was an excellent car. It was also vandalised (2 small scratches) and I'd kerbed the alloys. I had to pay over £1,000 in repairs when I handed it back.

GahBuggerit · 25/07/2017 12:28

Ahh I see, so someone else is down as the business owner in name so can take the lease out for the business and have you as a named driver type thing.

Double check with your car insurance provider would be the first step then before even thinking about what car to get - every where I've worked employees have had to be over 21 to be able to drive a company car. under the business insurance.

Original poster
Jamie7399 · 25/07/2017 12:28

Very true - a lot of people have said 'its all well and good being able to afford the monthly amount now, but you dont know what will happen".

I'd save up for the full 24 month lease and keep it in a 'pot' so to speak just in case :)

OP posts:
Redsippycup · 25/07/2017 12:33

My dad gave me advice that i didn't appreciate at the time but now think was great:

Your first car should not be expensive and it should not be something you really like / are proud of.

You WILL scratch it, it's inevitable. And if you aren't that fussed about it then you will just shrug your shoulders and move on. If you love the car it will be devastating.

Also remember you have to make good any damage to lease cars or you get charged for it - it's not like selling a second hand car.

pascalpascal · 25/07/2017 12:49

Good for you for your achievements.

Most new cars are sold on some sort of lease deal or another I believe. As well as making a new car affordable, there must be quite a commission involved in selling them this way.

In addition to what has been mentioned about mileage penalties and bodywork repair charges; car leasing has been in the media a lot in the past week or so. There was something about it in the Guardian too yesterday I think. The Bank of England is looking at how easy it is to be able to lease a car and the amount of debt being generated. Apparently it is the latest financial 'ticking time bomb' both in terms of debt and mis-selling.

Bumdishcloths · 25/07/2017 12:53

As an aside, my first car was a Renault Megane - the first time I took it out on my own, I rolled into a bollard and damaged the front bumper/smashed the number plate. I sat in the car park and cried for nearly an hour. So even shit cars you might get a bit upset about. Also, I was 28 at the time 😂 (I passed my test at 17 but didn't drive for ten years)

GahBuggerit · 25/07/2017 12:55

In fact thinking more about this OP you have loads of time, you haven't even started lessons yet. Get those started off and see how you go, it might not take you long to pass but there again it might take you a bit of a while to get to grips with it so by then car deals might have changed etc

So yea, my advice would be to wait until you're close to actually needing a car before even thinking about what to get. Nice to day dream until then though of course :)

Original poster
Jamie7399 · 25/07/2017 13:01

Haha it is indeed - seems to be all I think about! Good to use as motivation though. I'll see how confident I feel after having some proper lessons on the roads and make my decision then. Thanks for the advice!

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 25/07/2017 13:08

If its a business lease, are there any tax implications for you driving what is essentially a company car?

YY to put aside a pot of money to have a paint doctor type service when the lease is up.

Oh, and enjoy, well done.

IHeartDodo · 25/07/2017 13:18

I used to drive a mercedes A class and I wouldn't recommend it tbh. Mercedes have special everything (bolts etc), so are very expensive to fix. I once broke down and the rescue man came but couldn't even open the bonnet because of the special mercedes bolts. I had to wait hours.
Also I agree with PPs saying that you're likely as a new driver to have little scrapes etc.
And the insurance will be astronomical.

BIWI · 25/07/2017 13:20

What a bizarre place you've chosen to ask your question - I have to ask you why you've chosen Mumsnet?!

tiba · 25/07/2017 13:36

In your circumstances I would lease a car.
It's not a huge amount and if you bought a second hand car you would lose that in depreciation anyway.

Leading is now one of the cheapest ways to drive a new car.
Now cars are more expensive to repair it makes sense to have something where you don't have to worry about big bills.

People see it in the same way as having a phone contract etc.

Another reason for it is the safety aspect of having a new car.

I would rather my teenager be in a brand new merc a class than a pocket change banger.
(I've been in serious accident and glad to have had something safe)

Just remember you don't own it, but I don't see any issue with that either.

AreWeThereYet000 · 25/07/2017 13:40

Hey, you need to be 18 to get a credit agreement, also you may not get insured on that car - a lot of insurers will not cover what is deemed to be a sports car until drivers are either 21 or 25 and even if they will it's likely to be expensive. It's expensive to insure a car as a new young driver never mind on that type of vehicle.

My first car I got a little run around and I'm glad I did, I didn't crash but got bumps and scrapes, damages wheel trims etc misjudging distances for example.

You can still get a nice car - I'd just go for little less flash and I would but not lease at first as you get charged for any damage

AreWeThereYet000 · 25/07/2017 13:41

Ps I now have a merc and have done for 2 years no bumps or anything so glad I waited (nice choice - i went for the a class!)