Starter car

My 17-year-old son passed his test very quickly and has saved up for a car. His maximum budget is £2,500. We have scoured local papers and local dealers but are a bit nervous about taking the plunge. Some of the dealers at this end of the market have not been entirely honest with us. Please would you give us a few pointers as to a good starting car that will hopefully give the least reliability issues, is cheap to run, tax and insure. Also where should we buy?

Asked on 15 August 2011 by CM, Thame.

Answered by Honest John

The profit margin on a £2,500 car is usually about £1,500 to cover the dealer for any rectification work he may have to make in the first 6 months. You get no warranty buying privately or at auction, but you do get more car for the money. I suggest a FIAT Panda 1.1. That is cheap to insure.

Tags: insurance used cars young drivers first cars

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