Young drivers are not paying much for their first cars, it has been claimed.
Research carried out by car insurance provider Norwich Union revealed that more than half (52 per cent) of drivers under the age of 21 spend less than £500 on their first set of wheels and 40 per cent of them do not carry out any checks on the vehicle until an MOT is due.
The firm claims these findings are worrying given that young motorists are twice as likely to be injured in an accident in a ten-year-old car compared to a new one.
It added that cars valued at less than £500 are less likely to have adequate safety features, which could affect youngsters' car insurance policies .
Nigel Bartram, underwriting strategy manager for Norwich Union, said: "Getting young drivers through their driving test can be very costly for parents so it's understandable that when it comes to purchasing the first car they look to get a car that isn't going to be too expensive."
Founded in 1797, Norwich Union is now part of the Aviva group.




