For many people, their first car is ranked above their first kiss, or even their first relationship, according to research from Carfused.com.
The findings from the newly launched ‘one stop shop’ for all car buying needs reveal that nearly four in five Brits (79%) admit that they can still remember the name of their first set of wheels, compared to just 75% who can recall the name of the first person they kissed. Additionally, 93% of people can remember the colour of their first set of wheels, whereas just 88% can remember the name of their first boyfriend of girlfriend.
And when it comes to naming their first four-wheeled pride and joys, Brits are opting for weird and wonderful monikers, including Arthur Pendragon, the Glitterbug, the Flying Egg and Viva Los Viva, to name but a few.
Kate Rose, Carfused spokesperson, says, “For many, the first car marks the road to freedom. There’s no longer a need to rely on public transport or your parents to taxi you to and from wherever you need to go. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that so many Brits hold such fond memories of their first car.
“People develop powerful bonds with their cars, especially their first. Choosing the right car is a big decision, and there are a lot of factors to take into account before making that commitment. At Carfused, people can search for cars according to a number of desired features before checking insurance policies and finance deals for their chosen vehicle.”
It’s perhaps no surprise to learn that for more than a quarter of Brits (28%), their first car holds a special place in their heart. In fact, two fifths of motorists (41%) were so attached to their first car that they can still recall its number plate in full.
This nostalgia for motorists’ first set of wheels is shared by many, with one in 20 (5%) claiming that their first car was the best car they’ve ever had. This perhaps explains why nearly one in 10 Brits (9%) proudly admit that they are still driving their first ever car.
The emotional attachment that many motorists seem to feel towards their first set of wheels is perhaps justified, with more than a third of lucky Brits (35%) admitting that their first car was the scene of a kiss or romantic encounter. One in ten motorists (10%) also claim that their first car was also the scene of their first ever date.
The adventures we have in our first car may hold the key to why they are so special, with drivers enjoying some of their best memories in their motors. According to British motorists, some favourite first car memories include days out to the beach, picking up a famous hitchhiker, and that first trip to a drive-thru.
| Decade | Most Popular Choice of First Car |
| 1960s | Mini |
| 1970s | Ford Cortina |
| 1980s | Ford Fiesta |
| 1990s | Ford Fiesta |
| 2000s | Ford Fiesta |
| 2010s | Vauxhall Corsa |
However, whilst the majority look back through rose-tinted spectacles, some aren’t so kind. Nearly two in five (39%) say that their first car was a bit of a banger whilst more than one in 20 (6%) say they were embarrassed by their first car.
Passing a driving test is seen as one of life’s great milestones and in Britain, the average age for people to get on the road today is 22 years old. However, first time drivers are having to wait a year before they get their first set of wheels, with the first car being bought at 23.
More than half (55%) of drivers today (2010 onwards) say they bought their first car themselves using their own savings, with nearly three in 10 (29%) saying their parents bought their first car for them. This is in stark contrast to previous decades – in the 1970s, 68% of motorists paid for their first car themselves, with just 19% turning to the ‘bank of mum and dad’.
And when it comes to Brits’ first set of wheels, more people today (2010 onwards) are opting for a brand new model as their first car of choice (19%), compared to just 5% of motorists in the 1970s.
And car trends change with the decades and for Brits, it’s no different. Different decades reveal the changing trends in maiden vehicles. Currently, motorists are opting for a Vauxhall Corsa as their top choice for a first car (11%). The next most popular car choice is a Ford Fiesta (10%) – a car that has reigned as the most popular model of first car since the 1980s.
Prior to this, the ‘swinging sixties’ saw the iconic Mini top the charts for ‘first car’ of choice, followed in the 1970s by the classic Ford Cortina in the 1970s.
Whilst some cars weren’t driven by many, for car historians it might make interesting reading to learn that the following cars were the first motors for some Brits:
- 1947 Ford Anglia
- Morris Minor
- Triumph Herald
- Wolesley 1300
- Citroen 2CV
- Hillman Avenger
