Mini cars

chalkie · 25 October 2012, 18:32

Hi, my son will soon be passing his driving test and he really wants an old mini but I have a feeling that they may be rather expensive on insurance for a 17 year old even though they only have around a 1.0 litre engine.
Anyone have any ideas on the prices of the insurance? Don't have a mini yet but will look to buy one if the insurance is reasonable.

Cheers Greg
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Downhilldai · 25 October 2012, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalkie

Hi, my son will soon be passing his driving test

I admire your optimism. Have driving tests been watered down in line with GCSEs?

chalkie · 25 October 2012, 18:49

I will do as much as i can for him to pass his driving test as it will probably be cheaper than the bus fares he pays to school everyday.
And will hopefully stop him asking me for lifts every night, as he will have his own car.

John Kennett · 25 October 2012, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalkie

Anyone have any ideas on the prices of the insurance? Don't have a mini yet but will look to buy one if the insurance is reasonable.

It will almost certainly cost several times the value of the car to insure it. Not sure what you'd consider reasonable!

EnglishLes · 25 October 2012, 18:54

A friend of mine pays £100 a month for her daughter's insurance. Not for a mini. I think that is quite good for a 17 year old. Expect to pay more.

Downhilldai · 25 October 2012, 18:54

Rather than speculating on here, you could always 'GO COMPARE!'

Maximus · 25 October 2012, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

It will almost certainly cost several times the value of the car to insure it. Not sure what you'd consider reasonable!

They ALWAYS Hammer the New Driver...But Original Mini's Value's have SHOT UP lately Too!

kerny · 25 October 2012, 19:04

I remember the days when the more no claims bonus you built up the more your insurance premium went down.

mister p · 25 October 2012, 19:06

If it's an "old" as in original MINI chalkie, then look at insuring it in your name on CLASSIC insurance and putting him on as a named driver. Nowadays named drivers also build up NCB and don't forget that ask for a fully comp quote first. The way that works is that insurers assume that if you ask for fully comp first then they see you as a more careful driver and lower your premiums considerably. If you ask for Third party only first you are deemed a higher risk and will pay for it. Try Lancaster for a start.
I'm with them for my 1972 Rover 2000 and pay £80 a year fully comp with not restriction on who drives, although you need to name to build up NCB.

Mollers · 25 October 2012, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

...But Original Mini's Value's have SHOT UP lately Too!

And they're bereft of ALL modern safety features.

Teenage car insurance is frightening.

mister p · 25 October 2012, 19:19

Seat belts, brakes and a horn. Still have everything you need plus they're just that bit slower. And they encourage maintenance.

Kernow Buoy · 25 October 2012, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by mister p

If it's an "old" as in original MINI chalkie, then look at insuring it in your name on CLASSIC insurance and putting him on as a named driver.

Insurance company's are hot on this now mister p it's called 'fronting', if the car is really owned by the youngster and the insurance company prove it cover (claim) is gone.

Boats&Outboards · 25 October 2012, 19:25

Don't forget to get him to take the "pass plus" as that will get him a good discount to start with

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

chalkie · 25 October 2012, 19:32

After reading everyones comments, I think I'll tell him he can't have one. Seems like the insurance companies might want quite a substantial amount. And yes it was the classic mini he wanted.

mister p · 25 October 2012, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by chalkie

After reading everyones comments, I think I'll tell him he can't have one. Seems like the insurance companies might want quite a substantial amount. And yes it was the classic mini he wanted.

Chalkie, it's the reason that old Minors and Beetles are being run by students, they are much cheaper to insure on a classic policy.

chalkie · 25 October 2012, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mister p

Chalkie, it's the reason that old Minors and Beetles are being run by students, they are much cheaper to insure on a classic policy.

You may have just made my son very happy by telling me that information. It looks like he may win.

Cheers Greg

Mollers · 25 October 2012, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mister p

Seat belts, brakes and a horn. Still have everything you need plus they're just that bit slower. And they encourage maintenance.

"Modern". ABS, Air-bags, pre-tensioning seatbelts, crumple zones..................

mister p · 25 October 2012, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow Buoy

Insurance company's are hot on this now mister p it's called 'fronting', if the car is really owned by the youngster and the insurance company prove it cover (claim) is gone.

You're absolutely correct KB, he doesn't have to own it though or be the registered keeper until he can afford it.

PeterM · 25 October 2012, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow Buoy

Insurance company's are hot on this now mister p it's called 'fronting', if the car is really owned by the youngster and the insurance company prove it cover (claim) is gone.

100% agree...am currently trying to unravel a fatal case where everything was not as it was made out to be. The insurer has to deal with the claim from the thirdparty by law, but they (insurer) are now going after the driver personally for around £130k ( at this stage) ....

makes doing it right look cheap .......

Anchorhandler · 25 October 2012, 19:57

I wouldnt worry too much about the cost of insurance when you see how much your going to be spending on Kurust, new arches, new sill's etc. etc...

hope your a dab hand with a mig welder because if your not now....you will be

Simon