Inflated car prices and the cost of some young driver car insurance policies mean getting hold of a first car can be a financial nightmare for teenage drivers.
But for a couple of young con artists in Redhill, Surrey, getting hold of a car is only as much work as a quick lie-down and a push-over.
Their victim was a 36-year-old woman, out driving her Ford Fiesta at about 10:30 on the night of the 18th August.
When she saw the body of a 16-year-old lying in the road in front of her, she naturally stopped her car and got out to help him - leaving the engine running and the keys in the ignition.
As she approached the body, the trickster's accomplice crept up behind the unfortunate woman and pushed her over. The pair then leapt into the Fiesta and sped off before the woman could react.
She was left to walk the rest of the way home, and by the time she called the police, some 45 minutes after the theft of the vehicle, it had most likely already been abandoned.
The car was discovered only a short distance from the scene of the crime at about 11:30.
"This is an unusual offence," said Officer DS Ruth Atkins, investigating. "Due to the age of the suspects, the type of car stolen and the way in which the vehicle was abandoned, we believe the offenders live in the area.
"We do not believe this is part of a wider series of thefts of this nature. Not only was it dangerous, it is also a serious offence."
If the young tricksters are caught and prosecuted, they can expect substantially higher motor insurance premiums when they apply to drive legitimately - unless they have another con for the car insurance companies up their hoodie sleeves.