Buying a Car for a Mature Driver: Considerations and Pitfalls

As one reaches the youthful age of 50 and looks ahead to one’s 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, we are loathe to relinquish the freedom we demanded as teenagers and enjoyed as young and middle-aged adults.  Our cars, our homes and our incomes are our primary means of maintaining our independence.  To keep the freedom that comes with keeping a car, make careful choices when you purchase a new car, ensuring it includes features helpful to mature drivers.

Common Grievances From Mature Drivers About Their Vehicles

One complaint you won’t hear often from mature drivers is about the cost of insurance cover.  In recognition of the fact that we (finally) have our heads screwed on straight, insurance companies offer greatly discounted rates—especially for mature drivers without a claim history. You can see what different companies are offering over 50s at Compare the Market, for example.

Aside from insurance costs, however, mature drivers have plenty to criticise when it comes to automobile design:

• Knee or hip pain increases the difficulty of entering and exiting the car
• Arthritis or repetitive strain injuries interfere with safe handling of the steering wheel and easy use of dashboard controls
• The decreased stature (‘shrinking,’ if we’re being frank) that comes with age makes it an embarrassing struggle to reach the accelerator and brake pedals
• Back pain decreases the comfort of lengthy car journeys

Technologies and Features to Look For

Fortunately, automobile R&D has come a long way.  Now that road safety is pretty well covered by technologies like airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock braking systems and the like, automotive engineers have turned their attention toward drivers’ comfort.  The independence movement among adults with disabilities has furthered the cause of driver comfort as well.  Many car technologies that are helpful to mature drivers got their start as assistive technologies for drivers with disabilities.

Look for the following when you purchase a new car to see you through your golden years:

• Power seats that adjust six ways—up, down, forward, back, seatback forward and seatback backward: This technology increases the comfort of getting into and out of the vehicle, especially for mature drivers with knee or hip trouble.
• Adjustable foot pedals for accelerator and brake: These are a welcome addition for drivers of smaller stature.
• Steering wheels that tilt and telescope away from the dashboard: This is another technology that increases driving comfort for ‘vertically challenged’ drivers.  Closer access to the steering wheel may also alleviate joint pain in the hands or elbows that can come from gripping a distant steering wheel with too much force.
• Keyless entry and keyless ignition: ‘Keyless’ vehicles come with a small device, called a fob, that you place on your key ring.  When you are in close proximity to your car, the fob interacts with an electronic box on the dashboard to unlock the vehicle.  Once you are seated, you press an ignition button to start the car.  Keyless entry and keyless ignition save strain if one has arthritis.
• Heated seats:  Available for both the driver and passenger, heated seats may ease back pain.

Other suggestions for mature drivers include:

• Consider 4-door vehicles, which tend to have lighter doors that are easier to open and close.
• Avoid cars with bucket seats, which are notoriously tricky to get into and out of.
• Look for a car in which the seat height is at the ideal height of mid-thigh to lower buttocks.
• Steer clear of vehicles with high door thresholds.
• Consider adding a thicker steering wheel or steering wheel cover, to decrease the strain on arthritic fingers.

Additional suggestions for features to look for when buying a new automobile to suit a mature driver may be found in the publication ‘Smart Features for Mature Drivers,’ developed by the American Automobile Association in cooperation with the National Older Driver Research & Training Center at the University of Florida.

Reliability of the Vehicle

As mature drivers, we need reliable cars as well as comfortable cars.  Having to make frequent repairs is inconvenient and expensive, no matter your age.  For the elderly, many of whom live on fixed pensions, unexpected car repair expenses are a serious blow to the budget.  We want reliable vehicles that will start like a charm, whether we drive them every day or once weekly.

The Reliability Index is published by Warranty Direct, a consumer warranty company.  The Reliability Index assigns a reliability number to various makes and models of passenger vehicles, based on the number of claims submitted for mechanical failure.  The lower the number, the more reliable the vehicle—by statistical standards, at least.

Reliability of the Driver

As a closing note, we should not neglect to assess our own reliability as drivers.  If an illness or disability causes any significant changes in eyesight or fine motor skills, conduct an honest self-evaluation of your safety on the road.  All U.K. drivers must renew their driving licenses upon reaching age 70.  If you have concerns about your safety on the road, consider scheduling a driver assessment with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

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We can’t all afford the luxury of buying a brand new car, so a used car is our only option. But, buying a used car is not the risk it used to be, with the market full of quality used cars, and with nearly new cars being easily as reliable and dependable as their brand new cousins. Here’s our guide to three used car favourites.

Ford Focus 3rd Generation

Ford Focus

The Ford Focus – a five-door, family friendly hatchback – has long been a top-seller in the UK, with three generations of the car now available to potential buyers. The third generation Ford Focus has only been on sale for about a year, so will be the most expensive to buy used, but the previous incarnations of the car represent excellent value at the moment and have been tried and tested by thousands of buyers in the UK.

With literally thousands of Ford Focus models have sold in the UK in the last ten years, so the choice for a used Focus buyer is just huge, so take your time and view plenty of them before making your purchase. Private sales will be the least expensive so make sure you have the cash ready to go to make your purchase. However, if you need to buy the Focus with hire purchase, there are still plenty to be found with commercial retailers.

The Ford Focus has proven itself to be reliable throughout the model range with no major faults to report, and no issues with early rusting or unreliability. Spare parts are also well priced and available through a prolific network of Ford dealers.

VW Golf

The VW Golf is one of the best-selling hatchbacks in the UK and there are many good reasons for these strong sales, even though it is more expensive than much of its competition. Reliability is one of the Golf’s strongest selling points; new or used.

With very robust bodywork, strong, frugal and powerful engines and hard wearing interiors, the VW Golf has much to offer the family on a budget. Sure, some of the new parts with which to service your VW Golf can be a touch more expensive than other cars, but the Golf tends to go wrong less than other cars, so the costs will be roughly equal, if not better.

There’s a wide choice of used Golfs on the market, with prices starting from £1,000, but the more you can spend on your next used car, the better in the long run as servicing increases with the age of the car. But, a high-miles car with a good service history is also worth looking at, as maintenance is key with any used car.

Peugeot 206

A little smaller and a little cheaper than the Ford Focus or the VW Golf, is the Peugeot 206; the small and funky French hatchback. The 206 sold literally millions of models all over the world, so there will be a fantastic choice on the used car market in the UK – it was s firm favourite here, too.

The 206 is a three or five door hatchback or small estate, so there are plenty of bodystyles to choose from, and although they are a little smaller than the Golf or Focus, they are big enough for the average family.

Purchase costs and servicing are very cheap for this cheeky little car, but build quality isn’t quite on a par with the Ford or VW, so watch out for cars that have had a hard life or have not been regularly serviced.

About Steve Napier

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