MotR
UK Running Costs · 2026 Figures

Car Running Costs UK

Fuel, insurance, tax, MOT, and servicing — the real monthly and annual figures every UK driver should know before buying or budgeting for their next car.

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Quick answer

Average Monthly Car Running Costs

Average monthly car running costs in the UK range from £200–£400 for a typical petrol hatchback covering 10,000 miles per year. Annual totals: fuel £1,100–£1,900, insurance £500–£900, road tax £0–£280, MOT £55–£80, servicing £200–£400, tyres and consumables £150–£300, and repairs £300–£700. Depreciation — often unbudgeted — adds £1,000–£3,000+ on top.
Real examples

Monthly Running Cost Breakdown: Three Real Examples

These examples use real 2026 UK figures for three common vehicle types. All are based on a driver aged 30–40, with a full no-claims bonus and an address outside London.

CostFord Fiesta 1.0 (2019)Ford Focus 1.5 TDi (2020)BMW 320d (2021)
Fuel (per month)~£85~£65~£90
Insurance£38–£55£45–£70£80–£130
Road tax (monthly)£10–£17£13–£22£22–£33
MOT (monthly allowance)£5£5£5
Servicing allowance£15–£22£18–£28£28–£50
Tyres allowance£10–£16£12–£20£16–£28
Repairs allowance£20–£40£25–£50£40–£80
Monthly total (approx)£183–£240£183–£260£281–£416

Excludes depreciation. Fuel based on 850 miles/month at UK average pump prices, June 2026.

The six core costs

The Six Core Running Costs Explained

Fuel

~15–20p per mile (petrol), ~14–18p (diesel), ~3–5p (electric at home)

The biggest variable. At 10,000 miles per year, petrol costs around £1,500–£2,000. Use real MPG data from sites like Honest John, not manufacturer claims — real-world figures average 15–20% lower.

Insurance

£400–£1,500/yr (average £620 for established drivers)

Shop at every renewal — loyalty to your insurer almost always costs more. Use comparison sites plus direct quotes. Adding an experienced named driver can reduce premiums for younger drivers.

Road Tax (VED)

£0–£620/yr depending on emissions and list price

Cars registered after April 2017 pay a flat rate based on fuel type. Cars over £40,000 list price pay an additional £620/year for years 2–6. Check current rates at gov.uk before buying.

MOT

£55–£80 annually (legal cap £54.85)

Budget £60 for the test. Allow an additional £200–£400 contingency for failures — particularly for cars over 8 years old where advisory-to-failure progression becomes more likely.

Servicing

£150–£500/yr depending on service type and provider

Interim service (6 months/6,000 miles): £80–£180. Full service (annually): £150–£300. Major service (3 years): £250–£500. Independent garages offer 30–50% savings over dealers for identical work.

Tyres

£80–£200 each; full set £320–£800

Replace at 3mm (legal minimum 1.6mm, but grip degrades significantly before that). Check pressures monthly — under-inflation increases fuel consumption and wear.

Save money

Reducing Your Running Costs: Practical Steps

Shop insurance at every renewal — never auto-renew without comparing
Use an independent garage for servicing — saves 30–50% vs main dealers
Check tyre pressures monthly — under-inflation wastes fuel and increases wear
Pay road tax monthly by direct debit rather than using credit
Set MOT and service reminders — driving with an expired MOT risks a £1,000 fine
Build a £500–£1,000 repair contingency fund rather than using credit for breakdowns
Check fuel prices before filling up — apps like Petrol Prices save 3–5p/litre
Consider telematics (black box) insurance if under 25 — can halve premiums
Questions & answers

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to run a car in the UK per month?
For an average UK driver covering 10,000 miles per year in a typical petrol hatchback, monthly running costs typically fall between £250 and £400. This includes fuel (£95–£170), insurance (£45–£80), road tax (£15–£25), and a monthly allowance for MOT, servicing, and repairs. Total varies significantly by vehicle type, age, and postcode.
What is the biggest running cost for most UK drivers?
Fuel is typically the largest single running cost for drivers covering average or above-average mileage. At 18p per mile on petrol and 10,000 miles per year, annual fuel costs approach £1,800. For lower mileage urban drivers, insurance may exceed fuel costs — particularly for younger drivers who can pay £1,500–£3,000 per year.
Do electric cars have lower running costs?
Electric cars have significantly lower fuel (energy) costs — typically 3–5p per mile on a home charger versus 15–20p for petrol — and fewer mechanical components means lower servicing costs. However, higher purchase prices, insurance premiums, and (from April 2025) road tax obligations mean overall ownership costs are more comparable than many assume.
How can I reduce my car running costs?
The most impactful steps: shop your insurance at every renewal (don't auto-renew), use an independent garage rather than a main dealer for servicing, check your tyre pressures monthly (under-inflation increases fuel costs by up to 3%), pay road tax by direct debit to spread costs, and build a repair fund rather than using credit when things go wrong.
Does car colour or spec affect running costs?
Spec can materially affect insurance and tax. A performance trim with a larger engine sits in a higher insurance group and may pay more road tax. Colour does not directly affect insurance or tax in the UK, though some evidence suggests metallic and unusual colours have slightly different resale values.
What running costs should I budget for before buying a used car?
Before committing to a used car, check: current road tax rate (gov.uk), insurance group (thatcher.co.uk Group Check), expected fuel costs at your annual mileage, when the next MOT is due, whether a service is needed, and whether any tyres are marginal. These five checks take 20 minutes and can reveal £500–£1,500 of imminent spend.
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Running-cost figures are 2026 UK estimates based on RAC, AA and industry data; actual costs vary by vehicle, mileage, location and insurer. MotR is not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Last reviewed 12 June 2026.

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