Classic Car Insurance For 17 Year Old

Want classic car insurance for a 17 year old?

When you turn 17 and you’re able to get out on the road, there’s a decent argument to make your first set of wheels a classic car.

Of course, we would say that here at Lancaster Insurance Services. As fans of the cars of yesteryear, we think there’s a glamour and novelty in owning a classic car.

You’ll stand out on the road and enjoy a driving experience that more modern cars simply can’t offer. If you've purchased or are looking to buy a Japanese import classic car, we've also got you covered.

But there are more reasons to buy a classic car than just prestige. It can even prove a good decision for your pocket, with limited mileage discounts available with certain classic car insurance policies.

Here at Lancaster Insurance Services, we can help you get the right quote for your classic car insurance. Whether that's for your classic Audi TT, Japanese imported classic car, or whichever classic vehicle you have that falls into our criteria.

We’ve been arranging insurance for over 35 years, and we have long-standing links to some of the UK’s most competitive classic and vintage car insurance schemes. 

Using our wealth of experience and knowledge of the industry, we are able to provide insurance quotes for virtually every classic car available, for drivers both young and old - whether you’re just starting out as a 17 year old or you’re a seasoned driver in your 60s.

Should you buy a classic car?

There are plenty of reasons for making your first car a classic. As a 17 year old, your choice of car is going to be driven – at least in part – by how much it’s going to cost you to buy and run.

Opting for a classic car can make a lot of financial sense – but, as we outline below, there’s more to it than that:

Classics cars can go up in value

It’s becoming more common for young drivers to make their first car a new one.

That has its own benefits, but the fact is, you’re losing money as soon as you drive it off the forecourt – and it will keep depreciating over the time that you have it. Check out our blog on what makes a classic car valuable.

When you buy a classic, however, it can actually increase in value the longer you have it.

It depends on the make and model of your classic, how in demand it is and the provenance and history you have with the car.

But if you do your research – and make improvements to the car during your ownership – you could make a pretty penny.  

You won’t have to borrow money

Brand new cars don’t come cheap but that doesn’t stop a lot of young people from purchasing a flash modern motor, with many choosing to borrow money to make it happen.

You might have heard of a personal contract purchase (PCP), which involves making monthly payments over a number of years.

But there’s no guarantees that you’ll own the car at the end of the agreement.

If you decide to go against the grain and buy a classic, you probably won’t have to take out any credit.

If you do your research and shop around, you’ll be able to find a classic car to suit your budget.

Japanese imports may also provide a more cost-efficient way to get into the classic car owning game for younger drivers as well.

You learn a lot about car mechanics

As a classic car owner, at some point, you’ll need to get the tools out and make the odd repair or adjustments – it’s considered part of the fun of owning a classic car! If that sounds daunting, remember there’s a YouTube tutorial for just about everything to do with cars – failing that, you can call upon the expertise of a classic car club.

Over the course of your driving ‘career’, you’ll save thousands of pounds if you’re able to do your own mechanics – as opposed to having to hand your car over to a garage when you need to change a tyre, replace brake discs and so on.

You’ll meet new people

Owning a classic car means you have automatic entry into the classic car community.

As well as giving you the answers to those mechanical questions, being a member of a club is a great chance to meet like-minded collectors.

As part of the ‘social media generation’, you’ll be pleased to hear that most classic car clubs have online forums to stay in touch and share tips.

But, make sure you head along to the real-life meet-ups and breakfast clubs when you can. It’s a chance to put a face to a name, and you’re sure to pick up all kinds of great advice while you’re at it.

What are the best classic cars for a 17 year old?

There’s no correct answer to this question – it depends on your budget and personal preferences. But as a 17-year-old driver, there’s a good chance you’ll want two things: a classic car that is fairly cheap to buy and easy to work on (with spare parts freely available).

Ideally, you’ll pick up a classic that increases in value over the time that you have it – but it’s not always easy to predict which older cars will go on to be future classics.

Here are five of the most popular classic cars we insure for first-time owners:

MGB Roadster

With its timeless looks, the MGB will always have appeal in the classic car market. The MGB was the world's best-selling sports in its day, with over half a million sold during its 18-year production run (1962 to 1980).

Its understated looks were matched with a straightforward spec and drivers who like to feel the wind through their hair went wild for it. As a result, there are plenty of MGBs available on the classic car market. They all vary in terms of condition and rareness, but you can pick up the rubber-bumper version produced from 1974 onwards for around £3,000.

Citroen 2CV

Can you imagine owning a car that first launched in 1948? This French motoring icon remained in production for over 40 years, all the way up to 1990. It’s a mark of just how popular the good old Deux Chevaux was – with its distinctive design, it was full of charisma.

The 2CV actually sold poorly in Great Britain in part due to its high import costs. That makes them pretty rare nowadays, so finding a good one will take a bit of time.

Ford Anglia 105E

Perhaps you prefer the American-influenced styling of the 1960s? The 105E encapsulates the decade in lots of ways.

Although Ford sold over one million units of the Anglia, comparatively few were preserved at the time, which has forced the value of this classic up in recent years.

However, you should still be able to find an Anglia in good condition for a decent price. Easy to work on and reasonably cheap to maintain, the 105E is a solid investment for a young driver.

Mazda MX-5

The Mazda MX-5 is still in production today. ‘So, how can it be a classic,’ you ask? Well, the earlier models – that date back to 1989 – just about creep into classic territory.

The upside of this is that you can get a relatively modern car and benefit from insuring it with classic car insurance (scroll down for more on those benefits). In our opinion, those early MX-5s, with their pop-up headlights, are extremely charming – they’re a lot of fun to drive, too.

Mini

This iconic British classic remains one of the most popular classics with first-time owners. Regarded as one of the most influential cars of the 20th Century, the Mini was a style icon.

It continues to turn heads today. But you’ll probably have to pay for the privilege – even the lower marques are commanding high prices in tip-top condition. To stay within budget, you might want to consider the 1990s Cooper, which is available at reasonable prices.

Tips for buying your first classic

1. Know what you want – that might sound like an obvious thing to say, but if you want to use your classic on the daily, for example, make sure it’s up to the task.
2. Rent a garage – classic cars don’t like the wind, rain and snow. Extreme weather could cause damage to your vehicle if you’re unlucky, so find a garage where it can rest in the colder months.
3. Speak to insurers first – before making a purchase, get a quote from classic car insurers to understand how much classic car insurance is likely to cost you, plus any requirements your insurer might set (limited mileage).
4. Know the common problems – make sure you’ve done your research on the car in question before taking a look at it. That way you’ll know what to go looking for and save yourself from buying a car which is more hassle than it’s worth.  
5. Join a club – before taking out classic car insurance, sign up to a members’ club, as some insurers offer discounts – ask the team at Lancaster for more details. We’ve got lots of links with clubs up and down the UK.

Available benefits at a glance

• Car Club member discounts
• Static Show Cover
• Historic Rally Cover
• Choice of repairer
• Salvage Retention
• Free EU cover up to 90 days
• Two Year Agreed Valuation
• Laid Up Cover Available*
• 24 Hour Claims Helpline
• UK Based Call Centre
• Limit Mileage Discounts

*(available for £18)

Why Choose Lancaster Classic Car Insurance Services?

• Classic Car That’s Hard to Insure?
• Classic Car MoT Exemptions
• Classic Car Insurance Quote
• Classic Car Insurance Discounts and Benefits:
• Car Club member discounts
• Static Show Cover
• Historic Rally Cover
• Choice of repairer
• Salvage Retention
• Free EU cover up to 90 days
• Two Year Agreed Valuation available for £18
• Laid Up Cover Available
• 24 Hour Claims Helpline
• UK Based Call Centre
• Limit Mileage Discounts

What do you need to know about classic car restoration?

When eyeing up which classic to go out and buy, you need to think about whether you want a car that is road-ready or a longer-term project.

As a 17-year-old driver, the chances are that you’re going to want something that isn’t too much work. But, for many people, part of the fun of owning a classic car is improving its condition.

However, no restoration project should be taken lightly – here’s what you need to bear in mind:

It could cost you thousands of pounds

If you want to restore a classic to its original condition, you’re looking at costs of anywhere between £15,000 and £40,000, according to Simoniz. If you simply don’t have those kinds of finances, you should search for a classic that doesn’t need too much work.

The last thing you want to do is take on a project that you can’t complete because you’ve run out of money. That’s more common than you might think.

Joining a club is the best thing you can do

Don’t be put off joining a members’ club because of your age. Of course, the majority of classic car club members are going to be older than you – but being a young enthusiast has its benefits, in that people will go out of their way to help you.

In the case of most classic car clubs, membership is available for a small fee. In return, you’ll find the answers to all your burning questions – you usually get a number of other benefits like discounts on insurance, club magazines, free social events and more.

You’ll get nowhere with cheap tools

Another cost you’ll have to factor into any restoration project is the tools required to do the work. If you’re a novice to buying tools, you might go out and buy a cheap set – just make sure they’re up to the job.

Your tools are going to be put to the test during your restoration project. You don’t want a set that is going to break on you halfway through, forcing you to go out and buy more.

So, see your tools as an investment – a good set will last you for years if you look after them right.

It’s going to be slow going

You’ll need to put a fair amount of time into doing up your classic.

Depending on how much time you have available, a restoration project can last months or even years.

So, don’t go into it under any false pretences. Make sure you have a good idea of what’s involved before you put money down on the car.

Find ways of keeping the motivation up – that might mean documenting your progress on social media or a classic car forum. Whatever works to keep that project moving forward.

Some parts will be easier to source than others

When choosing which classic to buy, one of the things which should steer you in your choice is the availability of parts and panels.

Contrary to what you might think, it’s not always easier to find parts for UK cars. In fact, it’s probably easier to work on American cars, based on the availability of parts.

If you can’t find the parts you need, you may have to make them yourself. That’s not as scary as it might sound – experienced club members will be able to steer you in the right direction.

What are the benefits of classic car insurance?

Let’s look in a little more detail at the question of insurance – in particular, at insurance in both its standard and classic car forms.

Of course, before you get out on the road in your car – whether it’s a modern or vintage motor – you will need some form of car insurance.

Insurance is a legal requirement for any British car, unless it has been given a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

However, here at Lancaster Insurance Services, we believe that drivers of classics should be able to take out their own specialist policy which acknowledges that owning a classic vehicle is often a different undertaking to owning a car that you’re driving every day.

For example, it’s unlikely that you’ll be using your classic on the school run or driving to college every day, which is why our insurance policies include limited mileage discounts.

So, if you plan to cover relatively few miles in your classic, it’s well worth speaking to a specialist insurer like Lancaster Insurance Services to bring your costs down.   

Other benefits of our insurance policies include cover for UK classic car events such as historic rallies and static shows.

So, if you plan to show off your new motor, you’d be covered if anything was to happen during the event.

We also offer Two Year Agreed Valuation.

Having agreed on the value of your car at the time you take out a classic car insurance policy with us, should your vintage vehicle be written off or stolen, we will also reimburse you by that same sum.

You can find out more about this useful add-on to our car insurance policies on the Agreed Valuation page of the Lancaster Insurance Services website.

Other classic car insurance benefits include:

•       Choice of repairer
•       Salvage retention
•       Free EU cover up to 90 days
•       24-hour claims helpline
•       UK-based call centre

Is multi car cover available from Lancaster Insurance Services?

If you really get the taste for classic car ownership, you might want to build a bit of a fleet.

If you end up buying more than one classic, you can put each vehicle on the same insurance scheme with Lancaster Insurance Services, meaning you have just one renewal date to remember.

It could even end up being cheaper than insuring all your vehicles separately. 

Ready to find your car insurance quotes?

Getting the right cover for your needs is extremely important, so make sure that any classic car insurance quotes that you obtain include relevant benefits.

You don’t want to have to pay for things that you won’t use – at the same time, you want to cover yourself for the full use of your classic car so you can do all the things you want in it.

For example, you might want to travel abroad in your retro vehicle. If so, make sure your policy extends to cover overseas.

At Lancaster Insurance Services, we’ve helped thousands of drivers find the classic insurance to suit them. To arrange a car insurance quote from the specialists, contact the team today.

And remember to check out our car insurance guides to learn more about these amazing motors and the classic vehicle insurance you’ll need to protect them.