Start your Engines Please!
Need a Car, Need Insurance? Here’s How to Keep Costs Down Without Getting Burned
Getting behind the wheel of your car should be exciting — not financially painful. If you’re 17–24 and looking for a first or second time friendly car, you’ve probably already noticed insurance quotes can be eye-watering. But the good news? There are proven ways to bring those costs down — and we’ve built our whole business around helping you do exactly that.
Whether you’re a young driver yourself, or a parent trying to make a smart move for your teenager, here’s our no-nonsense, real-world guide to cheaper insurance without compromising on safety or style.
1. Pick the Right Car (This Is Where We Come In)
Insurance groups matter — a lot. Go for cars in groups 1–10 to keep premiums low. We’re talking stuff like:
VW Up!
Fiat 500
Suzuki Alto
Toyota Aygo
Citroën C1
Ford Ka (late models)
These aren’t just affordable to insure — they’re also easy to drive, cheap to run, and still fun to own. Every car we source is checked against these criteria because we know what matters at this stage.
2. Want Something a Bit Nicer? Go “Low Risk, High Style”
If you’re not into bare-bones city cars and want something with a bit more road presence, you still have options. There are slightly more desirable cars that don’t cost a fortune to insure if you’re smart about the spec and engine size. Examples:
MINI One (1.2 or 1.4 petrol) – retro styling, but still in lower insurance groups. Check out our MINI Approach
Fiesta Zetec 1.25 or 1.0 EcoBoost (non-turbo) – sporty feel without high insurance
Volkswagen Polo 1.2 or 1.4 – solid build and great for longer drives
Peugeot 208 Active 1.2 – sharp design, but keeps you under the radar
We hand-pick these kinds of cars for first-time buyers who want something that looks cool but won’t nuke their insurance premium. The trick is avoiding “GTI”, “S-Line”, or “Sport” badging — even if it’s the same engine underneath, those letters can add hundreds.
3. Classic Cars? Yes — Sometimes They’re More Insurable
This surprises people, but some retro or classic cars can actually be cheaper to insure than newer hatchbacks — especially if:
Retro and Modern classics can be cheaper (especially over 21)
You drive low mileage
The car’s well maintained and unmodified
Cars like the classic Mini, Volvo 240, VW Beetle, or early Mazda MX-5 can qualify for classic insurance policies — which are often based on mileage and ownership type rather than your age. Some insurers like Adrian Flux or Lancaster offer limited-mileage plans with agreed values, which can really help.
4. Time Your Insurance Quote Right
Quotes are cheapest about 21–26 days before you need the cover to start. Leave it to the last minute and prices can jump £200 or more. We always advise you to lock in your insurance early, even if the car’s not in your driveway yet.
5. Add a Parent or Trusted Adult as a Named Driver
Legal, simple, and effective: add an experienced driver as a named (not main!) driver. Just make sure the young driver is genuinely the main driver, or you risk “fronting” — and that’s insurance fraud.
6. Add a Parent or Trusted Adult as a Named Driver
Black box policies reward good driving and can cut your premium by 30% or more over time.
7. If You Can, Pay Annually (Not Monthly)
Paying monthly can add up to 30% in interest. If you or your parents can afford to pay it all in one go, it’s a big saver. We’ll help you weigh up the best way to do this — including low-interest car finance so you’re not stretched.
8. Safe Parking = Lower Price
Driveway or locked garage? Cheaper premium. Dashcam? Cheaper again. We can help fit and source a Dashcam. Alarm - Cheaper again - just ask us if the car comes with a factory/3rd party alarm.
9. Be Honest — But Smart — About Job Titles
Insurers are picky. “Barista” might be more expensive than “café worker.” Pick the most insurer-friendly job title without bending the truth.
10. Raise the Voluntary Excess (Within Reason)
A higher excess = lower monthly cost. Just don’t go so high you can’t pay it if something happens. £250–£500 is usually the sweet spot for drivers.
11. Build Your No-Claims Bonus
Start now, drive clean, and in 5 years you could be paying a lot less! The cars we source are designed to get you through those first years without the drama.
We’re More Than Just your average car seller/broker
We:
Help you choose insurance-friendly first cars
Connect you with trusted insurers and telematics packages
Offer car + insurance help for young drivers
Break the jargon down in plain English
If you’re a young driver (or helping one), we’ll help you make a smart choice now — so you’re not paying for it later.
Message us for advice
Even if you’re just shopping around. We can help you run insurance quotes before you commit to a car, and source the right car based on real-world numbers.