Advice For New Drivers

Now that you have passed your test, you are likely researching your first car. You may also be learning about insurance, car costs, and what to check before driving. This article is a handy guide, so you can feel confident before your first drive as a qualified driver.  

What Car Is Good For A First Car?

At Snows Car Centre, we offer a wide range of used cars, which are perfect for first-time drivers. New drivers often choose small hatchbacks because they offer reliability and practicality.  

Examples of hatchback cars are: 

• MINI Hatchback – offers a great blend of efficiency and performance. Fast acceleration and good fuel consumption. 
• Toyota Aygo – a stable and reliable car which is great for city drivers. 
• Fiat 500 – Popular choice for those looking for practical benefits, with low running costs. Highly efficient and good fuel consumption.  
• Toyota Yaris – Powerful engine, great efficiency and a reliable car.  
• Ford Focus – Great size, Comfortable interior, Generous space, Great fuel economy. 
• Kia Picanto – Low running costs, compact size – making it ideal for tight city streets and parking.  

Should I Choose a Petrol or Electric Car?

Choosing between a petrol or an EV car for your first car, all depends on your driving preferences and lifestyle.

Petrol cars offer a wide range of benefits, including:

1. Wide range of choice at a lower price – Petrol cars are often cheaper to buy second hand. This is ideal if you are on a tight budget.
2. Convenience – You can find petrol stations across most cities and towns, and it only takes minutes to refuel.
3. Driving Experience – You would most likely have driven a petrol car as a learner, so you will be more familiar with how it feels to drive a petrol car.

Electric cars offer benefits, including:

1. Running Costs – Electric cars tend to have lower running costs when you charge at home or when you need to service your car.
2. Maintenance – There are fewer moving parts in an electric car, so there are fewer areas you need to be careful of.
3. Environmental Factors – Owning an electric car can cut carbon emissions, which helps keep the planet healthy longer.

Read our guide on why drivers are choosing electric for more benefits, or find out how you can buy your first electric car.

 What To Check When You Buy Your First Car?   

When you buy your first car, you should check the following: 

⚫ Insurance Group  

⚫ ​V5C Log Book 

⚫ ​MOT History  

⚫ ​Any Outstanding Finance  

⚫ ​Tyres 

⚫ ​Bodywork – Any dents or scraps  

⚫ ​Rust – Under the bonnet, inside the cabin, wheel arches or boot 

⚫ ​Electronics – Air conditioning, windows, headlights, windscreen wipers  

⚫ ​Cold Start – Does it knock, rattle or squeak when you start it and drive? 

⚫ ​Handling – How does it feel when you are driving on different road conditions?  

How Much Is Insurance For New Drivers?  

For drivers under 25, insurance costs tend to be on the higher side. This is because drivers aged 17 to 25 are most likely to make an insurance claim, and they are new to driving.   

To help lower these costs, you can choose cars that have small engines, so they are more likely to be in lower insurance groups. You can also take Refresher Courses or Pass Plus. These can lower your insurance costs. They show that you are a reliable and cautious driver.   

What are the running costs of a car?

The running costs of a car are everything that comes under owning and driving a car on the road.

Annually, you will need to pay for:

• Car Insurance – A legal requirement that provides cover for you and others if you are in an accident or breakdown on the roads. (Depending on the type of cover you take out)
• Car tax – To legally use or park vehicles on public roads, and funds road maintenance, such as potholes.
• MOT – A legal requirement to check that your car is safe for the road and adheres to emissions regulations.
• Service – Ensures your car is functioning correctly and prevents serious problems that could occur in the long term. Check out our costs or contact our Snows Car Centre Southampton.

Other payments that will occur:

• Parking, Tolls and Permits – General costs depending on your location.
• Wear and Tear – Ongoing costs for small vehicle parts, like tyres and wiper blades. It also includes small dents and paint chips on your car.
• Fuel / Electric Charging – In order to keep your car moving.

Optional but Recommended:

• Service Plans – Help spread the cost of your service bill to make it feel more manageable and hassle-free.
• Warranties – Helps avoid any unnecessary costs if you need to repair your car.

Where To Buy My First Car?

At Snows Car Centre, we are here to help you find your first car. Whether you have a certain car in mind or you are happy to explore our options, our friendly sales team are here to assist you throughout the car buying process. Feel free to explore each of our brands to see what is currently available at our dealerships across the South and South West.

At Snows Car Centre, we have three locations, specialising in second-hand cars. Here, you can explore used cars from many brands. We update listings often, so every driver can find a car.

Book a test drive to see which car best matches your needs, or use our contact us page to discuss your options with a member of the team.

Are you still learning how to drive and need some revision help for the Show me, Tell Me test? Read our handy guide for the answers.