The cheapest and most expensive cars to insure as premiums increase by a third

Being a motorist has never been cheap, but in recent years prices for everything from the fuel you put in your tank to the invoice you get from your mechanic have increased massively. This makes deciding what make and model of car you drive even more important, as you could end up paying a lot more than you bargained for.

The cost of insuring a vehicle has risen by a third in the past year, leaving many motorists evermore out of pocket simply to get their car on the road. Research by consumer champions Which? has shown that your choice of car could cost you an extra £1000 every year, over potentially safer and cheaper models.

Knowing which makes and models will cost you the most, could save you a lot of time on the forecourt. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the figures are particularly bad news for some Tesla, BMW, and Land Rover Rover drivers, with the average Peugeot 206 policy being around five times cheaper to insure.

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As always for under-25s, their car insurance policies are much more expensive. But, not for the same vehicles, with Audis and Vauxhall Astras topping the list of cars to avoid if you are looking to keep running costs down.

Insurance policy prices are also based on a wide variety of factors, including your age, your occupation, and where you live and park your vehicle. This can affect the cost of insuring greatly, with research indicating that the average price to insure in Manchester is now £1279.

The below prices are estimated from the average policy cost for each make and model of car insured through comparison website GoCompare.

The cheapest cars to insure:

While the Peugeot 206 is not particularly surprising, the low policy price for the flashier Porshe Boxster and Mazda MX-5 shows that you aren't always penalised for splashing out on a nicer model.

The most expensive cars to insure:

If it goes fast and looks like it goes faster, you will probably end up paying more to insure it. So it is unsurprising that the most expensive cars to get on the road are the big and powerful ones.

But model can make all the difference, with the Porsche Taycan almost £1000 more expensive to insure than the Boxster.

The cheapest cars for under-25s:

Some of the cheapest cars to insure for younger drivers will come as little surprise, with the evergreen Ford KA and Citroen C1 topping the list.

Car size is the main theme among the cheap runners, with all of them small and known for reliability.

The most expensive cars for under-25s:

In contrast, the most expensive cars to insure are also the ones that younger drivers tend to drive less safely, with bigger engines and sportier models.

What affects your premium?

In their analysis of the GoCompare figures, Which? explains: "Your car choice and age aren't the only factors that insurers use to calculate your insurance premium.

"Insurers consider your driving habits, such as how often you use your car and the mileage you cover. For instance, using your vehicle for daily commutes can increase your premium compared to occasional leisure drives.

"Where you live can also affect your quote. Areas with heavy traffic and higher rates of vehicle theft or accidents generally have higher insurance premiums than rural areas.

Your driving record, including any previous accidents or traffic violations, can also impact your premium. Insurers weigh these factors collectively to calculate your premium accurately, ensuring it reflects the level of risk associated with insuring you and your vehicle."