NEW drivers are being advised to conduct thorough vehicle checks before buying their first car after passing their driving test.

The advice coincides with the publication of the latest driving test statistics produced by the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

The updated statistics reveal that for 2023-2024, a total of 1,928,373 car theory tests were conducted with 867,667 passes - a 45 per cent pass rate - and 1,384,678 car practical tests were taken with 668,038 passes, a pass rate of 48 per cent.

It compares with a theory and practical pass rate for 2022-2023 of 44 per cent and 48 per cent, respectively, with the number of theory tests 2,430,653 with 1,075,915 passes and 1,688,955 practical tests taken with 816,775 passes.

The 2023-2024 figures indicate the lowest number of theory and practical tests conducted and passed since 2021. 2021-2022 saw 1,234,013 passes from 2,463,621 theory tests (a 50 per cent pass rate) and 751,914 passes from 1,528,314 practical driving tests (a 49 per cent pass rate).

For motorists, including new drivers looking to buy their first car,vehicle history company HPI is urging drivers to check a vehicle's credentials before buying.

Jon Clay, identification director at HPI, said: "With almost 670,000 new drivers on the road this year, it's often easy to rush into buying the first available car without exercising the necessary due diligence. Sadly, many new drivers are taken advantage of by unscrupulous sellers passing on used vehicles that aren't roadworthy and could turn out to be a complete money pit or, worse, a potential danger to the driver, passengers and other road users.

"We recommend that buyers considering a used bargain conduct a comprehensive vehicle history check."