Practice car for learner driver

Martytoon · 18 Aug 2015 at 11:42

My daughter is learning to drive, but unfortunately doesn't have access to a car to practice on between lessons. In the long term she has plans to buy herself a new car but ideally I would like to get her a cheap car to practice on where the inevitable(?) scrapes wont matter so much. The problem is, and I hate to admit this on a motors forum, is that I'm pretty clueless when it comes to cars - last time I bought one was over 20 years ago.

So the plan in my mind is to spend around £1k with the view of keeping if for no more than a year, hopefully less, and then trade it in against a new car. A quick search of Autotrader for that price bracket shows up plenty of possibilities for a small car - both dealers and private sellers. Due to my lack of knowledge, I'm thinking of the dealer route as I more be afforded a little more "protection" - or am I being blissfully naive here? At this price point and given that it really is only a short term purchase is an AA/RAC inspection worth it? Unfortunately I just don't know anyone who I could take with me to help out, but I can look for basic things with some guidance I'm sure.

What are you thoughts - am I'm going to get a reliable (ish) car suitable for a learner for £1k. What are the major pitfalls and any guidance on how to avoid them. Any advice would be really appreciated.

Howard · 18 Aug 2015 at 11:45

Toyota Yaris. Go and buy one from a nice private seller and it'll last you as long as you want it to last.

Basically, make sure it stops, goes, and turns without making any funny noises, make sure there's oil in the engine, make sure it's been serviced, make sure the tyres aren't bald, make sure it's got a sensible length MOT, and you should be good to go.

Martytoon · 18 Aug 2015 at 13:45

Howard said:
Toyota Yaris. Go and buy one from a nice private seller and it'll last you as long as you want it to last.

Basically, make sure it stops, goes, and turns without making any funny noises, make sure there's oil in the engine, make sure it's been serviced, make sure the tyres aren't bald, make sure it's got a sensible length MOT, and you should be good to go.

Thanks, that's what I like - nice simple terms!

DereksDontRun · 18 Aug 2015 at 13:53

Yaris is a good shout - gf used to have one years ago and didn't miss a beat. Far better than my then coupe in the snow too.

Would suggest trying to keep this "cheap car" for at least 18months tho, as a new car in the hands of a fresh learner is an expensive accident waiting to happen. Without saying anything about your daughter's driving, it's just that SOOO many new drivers trash their car, whether it's their fault or not, within the first couple years, so it would be a shame to happen to a nice new pride and joy.

agnes · 18 Aug 2015 at 14:07

Convince her to keep the first year of insurance. Otherwise they will take the ****.

And expect her excess and cost of insurance to be more than the value of the car it's self... It's stupid these days. First 3 years are just a money pit. Thousands.

mccarf · 18 Aug 2015 at 14:51

My fiancees parents have a micra. It has an extremely tough life but it's soldiered on for years with barely any problems. It has very light controls and is rather easy to see out of for parking etc, so I'd imagine it would make a decent learners car.

Ford fiestas are also decent. My old mk5 fiesta was by far the most reliable car I've had. The few times it did break I found the parts to be extremely reasonably priced. You can probably pick one up for about £500-700 and run it for a couple of years without issues if you find a decent one like I had.

Martytoon · 18 Aug 2015 at 14:52

I was prepared for the worst on the insurance side, but running a few quotes on the Yaris am pleasantly surprised - coming in around £800 - £900 with low excess. In long run she's looking at possibly new Citroen C1 or Toyota Aygo and they come in around £600 - £700. Having me as a named driver makes quite a difference.

Howard · 18 Aug 2015 at 15:16

Martytoon said:
In long run she's looking at possibly new Citroen C1 or Toyota Aygo

I wouldn't, they're horrible. I'd rather have a knackered old Yaris!

llamadal · 18 Aug 2015 at 15:35

polo's are not bad either and also stay clear of brand new, if it's a must then get gap insurance, nothing worse than having a new car, some idiot smashes into it and then your left with a 3k shortfall.

Stay clear of citroen!

Dr Who · 18 Aug 2015 at 16:24

Howard said:
I wouldn't, they're horrible. I'd rather have a knackered old Yaris!

You may not like them but they are a perfect car for a new driver.

div0 · 18 Aug 2015 at 16:50

Howard said:
Toyota Yaris. Go and buy one from a nice private seller and it'll last you as long as you want it to last.

Basically, make sure it stops, goes, and turns without making any funny noises, make sure there's oil in the engine, make sure it's been serviced, make sure the tyres aren't bald, make sure it's got a sensible length MOT, and you should be good to go.

My brother just finally scrapped our 14 year old Yaris, which spent most of it's life on the coast, which is usually particularly bad for rust - and that was the car's eventual downfall - too much rust, not enough metal!

Still a good innings though.

Howard · 18 Aug 2015 at 17:00

Dr Who said:
You may not like them but they are a perfect car for a new driver.

So's a Yaris, and it's a better car in many ways. That was my point.

skaif · 18 Aug 2015 at 17:32

Or an old bubble micra. Just check for rust and you will probably sell it for what you paid after a year!

Terminal_Boy · 18 Aug 2015 at 17:33

Howard said:
Toyota Yaris. Go and buy one from a nice private seller and it'll last you as long as you want it to last.

Basically, make sure it stops, goes, and turns without making any funny noises, make sure there's oil in the engine, make sure it's been serviced, make sure the tyres aren't bald, make sure it's got a sensible length MOT, and you should be good to go.

This. Will be getting one for my daughters to learn in / get their minor knocks out of the way in when they finish uni.

AndrewNR · 18 Aug 2015 at 18:54

Was going to say '99-'02 Fiesta or perhaps the '02-'08 if you get a high-miler but for <£1k I think a Yaris is still the winner.

Martytoon · 19 Aug 2015 at 17:30

Thanks for the advice, really appreciated. Had a look at a Yaris last night which got seal of approval from daughter, so that's first major hurdle overcome. I was also quite surprised at what £1k can buy. Having a look at another couple tonight, so we'll see what happens.
Thanks again.

Dr Who · 19 Aug 2015 at 17:42

Howard said:
So's a Yaris, and it's a better car in many ways. That was my point.

A knackered old Yaris isn't, that was my point.

ttaskmaster · 19 Aug 2015 at 17:46

TBH, I'd think buying a car, getting it MOTed, taxed and insured would be a LOT more than just a few extra lessons before the test... Unless she actually needs that much practice?

I'm doing my car licence right now and am most of the way there - Just another month of mostly practice and my test is already booked.
Getting some online quotes (based on having already passed my test) It'd cost me almost 100 lessons worth of money to get a reasonable condition cheapy car sorted and on the road... and I'd guess I'm a good decade or two older than your daughter!