Can you recommend a car which will be cheap to insure for our 17-year-old son?

Four years ago I was able to insure our 17-year-old daughter with a provisional licence on my own Morris Minor classic car insurance policy for a negligible premium through Firebond, now owned by Aon. This year, Aon states that it will not insure our 17-year-old son, again a provisional driver, with no reason given. Furthermore, Quinn Insurance will not insure our son on my wife's 1,800cc 8-year-old Volvo V40 which is only worth £800. Friends advise that engine size should be 1,200cc or less, no matter the age of the vehicle. Quinn refuses to recommend a vehicle type or engine size for my son.

Would you please recommend a suitable secondhand vehicle for my 17-year-old son with a provisional licence, together with an insurance company that will accept it? He will be the main driver with my wife and I named additional drivers.

Asked on 13 November 2010 by WH, via email

Answered by Honest John

It's going to be expensive wherever he goes. The premium can be reduced by adding several mature drivers as additional named drivers to the policy (NOT as main drivers because that constitutes ‘fronting’). The best cars are the FIAT Panda 1.1 Active, Citroen C2, Peugeot 107, Toyota Aygo, Nissan Pixo or Suzuki Alto. Two schemes that cut premiums for your drivers by restricting use of the car using a ‘black box’ are: www.insurethebox.com and www.i-kube.co.uk.

Tags: insurance telematics learner drivers young drivers

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Citroen C2 (2003 - 2010)

Low running costs, including insurance. Good crash test rating.

Fiat Panda (2004 - 2012)

Space, comfort and practicality in an engaging, affordable package.

Nissan Pixo (2009 - 2013)

Cheap to buy new, low CO2 emissions and high economy mean it's cheap to run. Available with an automatic gearbox. Nicer seats than near identical Suzuki Alto.