Plymouth named cheapest city for drivers - with lowest fuel and MOT costs

Plymouth is the cheapest city in the UK for drivers
-Credit: (Image: Nik Taylor/UCG/Getty Images)


Plymouth has been named the cheapest city in the UK for drivers, according to motoring experts, with the lowest costs for fuel, car services and MOTs.

The UK's largest car supermarket, Motorpoint, looked into the costs of fuel, car maintenance, and car insurance, in various cities around the UK, and identified the top 10 most affordable cities to own a car.

Each city was given a score out of 100, with higher scores indicating better affordability - and Plymouth received a near-perfect score of 93.

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Fuel prices in Plymouth are among the lowest in the UK, currently, costing around just £1.42 per litre - compared to cities like London and Oxford, where fuel will set you back a steeper £1.52 per litre.

Not only that, but MOT and service costs are also lowest in Plymouth, costing approximately £28 for an MOT, and around £132 for a service.

In some cities in the UK, including Truro in Devon, MOTs cost as much as £50. And in cities like Truro, Bristol, or Cardiff, drivers can expect to pay over £200 to get their car serviced - with this peaking at a whopping £286 in Oxford.

Car insurance costs in Plymouth are also comparatively low, costing an average of just £1,714.21 a year, which is almost £680 cheaper than in Stoke-on-Trent, at the other end of the top 10 list of cheapest cities for drivers - and over £1,000 cheaper than the average annual insurance cost of £2,811.38 in London.

Motorpoint experts have advised drivers on how to keep costs low
Motorpoint experts have advised drivers on how to keep costs low -Credit:Motorpoint

Exeter also featured among the top 10 list of cheapest cities, coming in at number 6, with equally low fuel costs to Plymouth (£1.42 a litre), and car insurance per year also costing the same as Plymouth, at £1,714.21.

Unsurprisingly, London was found to be the most expensive city overall for motorists - with fuel costing £1.52 per litre, MOTs costing an average of £50, and service costing £224. As a result, it scored just 19 points out of 100 for affordability, according to Motorpoint.

Discussing the findings, and how motorists can keep their driving-related costs as low as possible, Mike Vousden, Motorpoint’s car-buying expert, said: "While the cost of car ownership may vary throughout the UK, there are plenty of small things motorists can do to ensure they aren’t overpaying for car-related expenses.

"For example, when renewing your car insurance, it pays to shop around and compare prices a few weeks before your renewal date, to make sure you are getting the best deal possible. If you are letting your car insurance auto-renew year-after-year, then there is a very good chance you are paying more than you need to.

"When it comes to MOT and servicing costs, it can often be worth speaking to your local independent garages as they can often offer a more competitive price than main dealers. Just be sure that if you need any repairs, they are using official parts to make sure you aren’t voiding your car’s warranty, if you have one."

And when it came to simple ways motorists can save money when shopping for their next car, Mike advised: "When looking to upgrade your car, opting for a nearly-new car is the easiest way to save thousands compared to buying a brand-new one, and means you can still benefit from low mileage and plenty of time left on the manufacturer’s warranty.

"It’s a good idea to think about a car’s running costs in the broadest sense. Beyond considering a variety of car finance options and choosing the one that suits your circumstances, think about how changing your vehicle will change your other car-related outgoings.

"For example, if you choose something more fuel-efficient, you’ll need to fill up less regularly, while upgrading to a more expensive vehicle will inevitably impact your insurance premiums."