New drivers go for smaller car to reduce premiums

The Vauxhall Corsa is the most popular first car for new drivers, in a top 10 entirely dominated by little hatchbacks, according to Confused.com.

The research suggests most new drivers select vehicles of a smaller engine size with 20% choosing a modest 1.2 engine and 75% choosing engines of 1.4 or under.

New drivers tend to buy their first car using their own savings; with 40% of those polled saying this was how they funded their new ride. A worrying 16% admit they took out a personal loan or credit card to afford the vehicle they wanted. A surprising number were sponsored by the Bank of mum & dad with 14% admitting to this method of funding. Ladies had the most generous parents, being 3% more likely to be given a car than men, with spoilt first drivers mainly located in Wales, East Anglia & London.

The choice of vehicle for new drivers suggests awareness that smaller, less powerful cars represent a smaller risk when it comes to insurance, which is especially pertinent for new drivers who are deemed a much higher, and therefore more expensive, risk when it comes to the premiums they have to pay. A 17 year old girl selecting a first car would do well to note that a 1996 Vauxhall Corsa is more than £1000 cheaper to insure than 2006 VW Golf and almost £200 more could be shaved off by opting for Third Party Fire & Theft cover. Smaller cars are also a lot cheaper to buy, which may also account for some of their popularity.

Will Thomas, head of Motor Insurance says "Corsa may well top the charts due to its status as a popular learner car but parents looking to buy a car for kids flying the nest to go to university this September would do well to remember these tips:

Start with the classic small-engine run-around in order to build driving experience

If the car is low-value drivers might wish to consider a TPFT policy, as young driver excesses may make the comprehensive cover a pointless exercise

Typically, premiums will dip in price when drivers hit 25 but whilst they're waiting, building no claims bonus can lead to valuable discounts

"The best way to keep the costs down is by shopping around for cover, as not all insurance providers rate age the same way and some companies specialise in covering younger drivers. Price comparison is the ideal solution to getting the best price for the most suitable cover"