The study found that more than a quarter of young drivers received their first car as a gift (Image: Getty)
A new study has found that more than a quarter of UK parents gift their child a car once they receive their .
According to a survey of 11,000 Brits, 26 percent stated that their was a present from their parents, either as a reward for or a birthday present.
James Hosking, Director of , noted that the increase in gifted cars could be due to the , with many finding it increasingly more expensive to get on the road.
He explained: “Getting on the road has become a significant financial hurdle for young drivers today. With the cost of living at record highs and the average price of a new car well above what previous generations paid, many young drivers face an uphill struggle to afford their first car without family support.
“Not everyone has the privilege of being gifted a car, but our research shows that parents often try to lend a helping hand — even if it’s just contributing to a portion of the price.”
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Most drivers said that their first car was a birthday present or reward for passing their test (Image: Getty)
In addition to the many motorists who received their first car as a gift, 34 percent of respondents stated that they received some financial support from their parents to get on the road.
This is particularly prominent given the rising cost of getting on the roads, with Driving Test Success claiming that the average learner spends more than £1,000 in lessons and their examination.
Whilst the typical cost of insurance is falling in the UK, inexperienced drivers also face eyewatering amounts to get cover, with previous studies stating that new motorists typically pay £1,800 for their premium.
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Small models like the Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo, and Fiat Panda have the lowest insurance rates (Image: Getty)
With the cost of getting on the road being particularly high, it is more important than ever for learner drivers and their parents to make informed decisions when buying a first car, with specific models being available for low prices and featuring cheap insurance.
One model that is particularly affordable to buy and run is the Toyota Aygo, which was also sold as the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 between 2005 and 2014.
In addition to being particularly affordable, with examples available from around £1,000, the 1.0-litre engine can easily achieve over 50mpg and, in specific versions, also sits in the lowest insurance group.
Motorists looking for a little more practicality from their first car should also consider the second-generation Fiat Panda, produced between 2004 and 2012.
Despite being long in the tooth, the Panda’s boxy styling and five doors offers plenty of space for passengers and their luggage, while the 1.2-litre ‘Fire’ engine gives a good blend of low-range performance and fuel economy.
Like the Toyota Aygo and its stablemates, the Active and Active Eco variants of the second-generation Fiat Panda are in insurance group one, making it amongst the cheapest cars to get cover for.