Watching your son or daughter pass their driving test is a joyous occasion that is bound to fill you with pride. However, it also brings with it a new responsibility; to help them choose the ideal first car with which to make the most of their newfound freedom.

Even if you are only contributing to the cost of their new motor, rather than buying it outright, it’s a good idea to get involved and help them make the best choice. Here are some of the most important factors to consider as you and your offspring begin your search for the perfect set of wheels.

Agree On A Budget

If you are making a financial contribution to the purchase of their car – or buying it yourself – then it’s a good idea to work out a budget. This way, they know what vehicles they should be considering.

Whether you are buying new or second-hand, you and your child will probably have to come to some sort of compromise when it comes to their choice of prospective vehicles. They will probably want something flashy, but if you’re footing the bill, they will need to be prepared to lower their expectations and look for something steadier and more suited to a new driver.

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Prioritise Safety Features

Safety will probably be your main concern when it comes to choosing the first car for your offspring. As a result, you may need to be prepared to fork out some extra cash for a newer model that comes complete with special features such as automatic emergency braking and lane assist.

You may also wish to choose a car that is equipped with other helpful features, such as parking sensors or a reversing camera, to help your child develop their confidence as a fully-fledged young driver.

Reliability Is Key

As your child will be brand-new to the world of car sales, they probably won’t have a great deal of knowledge regarding which makes and models of cars are the most reliable. In fact, they will probably be yearning for the fastest, sportiest motor they can afford, so it’s important to impress upon them the importance of reliability.

Do your research together, read different car reviews, and compare and contrast to help you find a vehicle that will hopefully last for years with very few repairs needed.

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Find The Right Insurance Policy

The sad truth of the matter is that car insurance for new drivers can be jaw-droppingly expensive, averaging around £1800 a year. To help you lower the cost slightly, you may want to search for a car in a low insurance bracket.

Another factor to consider is whether your offspringprefers insurance that comes with a black box, or without. While black box insurance policies will be cheaper, your child may prefer to browse quotes from lenders that provide no black box insurance. They may also prefer to pay for a whole year upfront, to help keep costs down.

Teach Them The Must-Have Maintenance Skills

Once you and your child have found a car that you’re both happy with, and they are all insured and ready to hit the road, it’s a good idea to make sure they know how to take care of it.

Teaching them some basic skills, such as how to check the air pressure in their tyres, refuel correctly, and refill their screen wash, will help them maintain their vehicle, so it lasts longer and passes their MOTs.