A TEENAGER who was quoted almost £18,000 to insure his P-reg VW Polo is now using a tractor to get around.

The Bolton News yesterday revealed how Chris Berry, aged 18, was stunned to hear how insurance for the one litre car would cost him £17,800 for a year.

Insurance companies explained that young male drivers were a bigger risk as more of them were involved in serious accidents than any other group.

They also said premiums had risen across the board as personal injury claims had risen in recent years, while Bolton was also one of the worst areas in the country for fraudulent claims.

Now Chris, who lives with his parents in Nevis Grove, Astley Bridge, is using the family’s 1953 Fordson Major to get around — paying just £57 a year for insurance.

Chris said: “If I had the choice I’d would have my car—I can go further in it and it would be much better in the rain!

“If you’re image conscious I don’t think you could drive it but we’ve had it for about 15 years, and I actually love the fact I drive a tractor.

“Not many people can say they drive a Fordson Major!

“It’s a hell of a lot cheaper than a car—other than the insurance only being £57 a year, you never have to have an MOT, and when it’s 25 years old it’s tax exempt.

“And it can go 40mph — on a good day.”

Quinn Direct, an insurance company specialising in young motorists, has carried out research which shows the average cost of getting on the road for a first time driver is £8,260.