Cheapest Cars to Insure in the UK (2026)
Ranked by our estimated insurance group, with MOT reliability data from 55,601,509 real tests. Find cars that are both cheap to insure and reliable.
Insurance groups are our own estimates from make, model, engine size and fuel, not the official groups. Pass rates: DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included.
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Group 1
Cheapest group
Groups 1-5
Very cheap to insure
Group 50
Most expensive
Insurance is one of the biggest costs of car ownership, especially for younger or less experienced drivers. The insurance group your car sits in makes a huge difference: a group 40 car can cost several times as much to insure as a group 1 car for the same driver.
We combine estimated insurance groups with real MOT reliability data so you can find cars that are both cheap to insure and unlikely to break down. Small engines, mainstream manufacturers, and widely available parts are the key to low insurance.
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Top 20 Cheapest Cars to Insure
Ranked by our estimated insurance group, then MOT pass rate. Running costs exclude insurance.
| # | Car | Est. Ins. Group | Pass Rate | Running Cost/yr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volkswagen Up(2020) | 1 | 95% | £1,630 | |
| 2 | Volkswagen Up(2021) | 1 | 95% | £1,630 | |
| 3 | Volkswagen Up(2019) | 1 | 93% | £1,630 | |
| 4 | Volkswagen Up(2018) | 1 | 90% | £1,630 | |
| 5 | Volkswagen Up(2017) | 1 | 88% | £1,780 | |
| 6 | Volkswagen Up(2013) | 1 | 86% | £1,600 | |
| 7 | Volkswagen Up(2014) | 1 | 86% | £1,600 | |
| 8 | Volkswagen Up(2015) | 1 | 86% | £1,600 | |
| 9 | Volkswagen Up(2016) | 1 | 86% | £1,600 | |
| 10 | Volkswagen Up(2012) | 1 | 84% | £1,600 | |
| 11 | Kia Picanto(2014) | 1 | 81% | £1,600 | |
| 12 | Kia Picanto(2013) | 1 | 77% | £1,750 | |
| 13 | Kia Picanto(2012) | 1 | 75% | £1,794 | |
| 14 | Kia Picanto(2011) | 1 | 73% | £1,750 | |
| 15 | Kia Picanto(2010) | 1 | 72% | £1,750 | |
| 16 | Kia Picanto(2009) | 1 | 71% | £1,750 | |
| 17 | Kia Picanto(2008) | 1 | 69% | £1,950 | |
| 18 | Kia Picanto(2004) | 1 | 69% | £1,950 | |
| 19 | Kia Picanto(2007) | 1 | 68% | £1,950 | |
| 20 | Kia Picanto(2006) | 1 | 66% | £1,950 |
Most Reliable Low-Insurance Cars
These cars combine estimated insurance groups 1 to 10 with the highest MOT pass rates. Cheap to insure and unlikely to need expensive repairs.
Top 10 Reliable Low-Insurance Cars
Estimated insurance groups 1 to 10, ranked by MOT pass rate
| # | Car | Est. Ins. Group | Pass Rate | Running Cost/yr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suzuki Ignis SZ3 Dualjet MHEV(2021) | 8 | 98% | £1,630 | |
| 2 | Honda Jazz Crosstar Ex I-MMD CVT(2021) | 5 | 97% | £1,853 | |
| 3 | Honda Jazz Crosstar Ex I-MMD CVT(2020) | 5 | 97% | £1,853 | |
| 4 | Toyota Yaris Cross Design HEV Auto(2021) | 6 | 97% | £1,853 | |
| 5 | Suzuki Ignis SZ-T Dualjet MHEV(2021) | 8 | 97% | £1,630 | |
| 6 | Kia Stonic GT-Line S Isg MHEV(2021) | 9 | 97% | £1,630 | |
| 7 | Suzuki Swift SZ-T Dualjet MHEV CVT(2021) | 5 | 97% | £1,630 | |
| 8 | Citroen C1(2021) | 8 | 97% | £1,630 | |
| 9 | Toyota Yaris Design HEV CVT(2021) | 6 | 96% | £1,853 | |
| 10 | Honda Jazz Ex I-MMD CVT(2021) | 5 | 96% | £1,853 |
How Insurance Groups Work
Groups 1 to 5
The cheapest to insure. Small city cars under 1000cc, budget manufacturers. Ideal for new drivers.
Groups 6 to 15
Affordable insurance. Small family cars, 1.0L to 1.4L engines. Good balance of practicality and cost.
Groups 16 to 30
Mid-range. Family cars, entry-level premium models, 1.5L to 2.0L engines.
Groups 31 to 50
Expensive. Performance cars, large SUVs, premium and luxury vehicles. Not recommended for new drivers.
For a full guide, see our Insurance Groups 1 to 50 explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest car to insure in the UK?
Cars in insurance group 1 are the cheapest to insure. Small city cars with engines of around 1.0 litre, such as the Volkswagen up!, Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10, usually sit in the lowest groups, which makes them among the cheapest cars to insure for most drivers.
What insurance group is cheapest?
Insurance group 1 is the cheapest, and groups 1 to 5 are considered very cheap to insure. The group is determined by engine size, power output, repair costs, security features, and the car's value. Your own premium also depends on your age, address, driving record and the cover you choose.
How are car insurance groups decided?
Insurance groups (1 to 50) are set by Thatcham Research based on factors including engine size and power, repair costs, parts prices, vehicle security, and performance. Smaller, cheaper cars with widely available parts tend to be in the lowest groups. The groups on this page are our own estimates, not the official groups.
Does car reliability affect insurance cost?
Not directly, as insurance groups are based on repair costs rather than MOT pass rates. However, a reliable car with fewer breakdowns means fewer claims overall. Cars with high parts availability and low repair costs tend to be both reliable and cheap to insure.
Are electric cars cheap to insure?
Usually not: electric cars tend to be in higher insurance groups than equivalent petrol models, mainly because battery repairs and specialist parts are expensive.
How can I lower my car insurance cost?
Choose a car in a low insurance group (under 10). Other factors that help: adding a more experienced named driver, increasing your voluntary excess, parking off-street, building up no-claims years, and taking an advanced driving course.
Does car colour affect insurance?
No. Car colour has no effect on insurance premiums or insurance groups. The group is determined by engine size, power, repair costs, security, and vehicle value.
Are automatic cars more expensive to insure?
Sometimes, slightly. Automatic gearboxes cost more to repair or replace, which can put the automatic version in a slightly higher insurance group than the manual. The difference in premium is usually small.
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Insurance Groups Guide
Groups 1 to 50 explained in detail
Methodology
Insurance groups are our estimates based on engine size, manufacturer, model name, and fuel type. Actual insurance groups are set by Thatcham Research and may differ from our estimates. Running costs exclude insurance and are based on DVSA MOT data (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), fuel at 174.57p a litre for petrol and 199.33p for diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and estimated VED rates. Only cars with 1,000+ MOT tests that were old enough for a routine MOT in 2024 are included; vans, motorhomes and taxis are left out. Data sourced under OGL v3.0.