Martin Lewis' MSE shares 10 ways to save a small fortune on the cost of motoring

Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert newsletter has shared a number of ways that motorists across the UK can cut down on the cost of driving.

Many people will be looking to cut costs anywhere possible amid an inflated cost of living, and as motoring can quickly rack up a hefty bill, there are some big wins to be had.

Here, Chronicle Live breaks down ten ways to crack down on driving costs according to Martin's MSE site.

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1) Renew your licence -

MSE warn that 3.6million people are driving on expired licences, and if you're caught doing so, you could risk a substantial fine. Most licences expire after ten years, so make sure yours is valid and renew if needs be.

2) Find a cheaper place to fill up -

MSE warn: "The average price of petrol is up 10p/litre since January, yet there's a handy online fuel prices tool to find the cheapest forecourt near you. When we checked a postcode in Durham on Tue, we found prices ranged from 145p/L to 173p/L within five miles, a difference of £15 when filling up a typical family car."

3) Cut car insurance costs -

Use MSE's Compare+ Car Insurance tool to see how you can save on insurance when it comes to renewing.

4) Carry out easy MOT checks yourself -

If your car is due an MOT, you should carry out easy checks yourself before taking it to the garage. MSE advise that people check their lights, suspension, tyres, windscreen and other common areas so they don't end up with a hefty bill at the garage. You could be able to save money on your MOT by replacing lights and windscreen wipers yourself.

5) Claim on potole repairs -

MSE say: "Pothole damage to vehicles hit a five-year high last year, with the AA estimating they cost drivers £474 million in repairs. If you've hit one, see if you're owed money using our Pothole damage claims guide."

6) Stop accelerating so fast -

MSE say that by accelerating too fast, you'll up your fuel usage, but if you step on the brakes too harshly, you'll burn energy paid to put in the car. Be aware of your road position and slow down and speed up more gradually to save how much gas you guzzle.

7) Cashback on debit cards -

A number of banks offer cashback on fuel paid for on debit cards, so search the market to see if you could benefit from making the move.

8) Take the junk out of your trunk -

MSE, say: "There are some easy ways to increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, including doing away with unnecessary weight, going without air-con and being precious about your tyre pressure. It can have a bigger impact than you might think."

9) Look for top EV tariffs -

MSE say that a handful of energy suppliers offer special tariffs to those who charge electric vehicles at home. You'll typically get a few hours where rates are cheaper, usually overnight, and MSE say that this could help you save hundreds a year.

10) Ditch your car -

MSE say that if you're not a massive driver, you could consider ditching your car altogether and instead cycling, walking or taking public transport like cabs and trains.