OWNING a car has always been one of the biggest financial commitments you can make.
But with the rising cost of fuel and shortage of new cars pushing up used car prices, it’s becoming more expensive than ever to run a motor.
Insurance Revolution has looked into the figures and reckons the average driver is now spending £3,500 a year on running their car.
The biggest cost if fuel, which on average accounts for £1,435 every year no matter if its petrol or diesel being used.
The next largest cost is insurance, which had an average cost of just less than £500 for somebody with no claims or convictions.
Servicing was also assessed, and was found to cost between £250 and £300 for most people.
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The costs that people often forget about were also looked at, like road tax, car washing, necessities such as antifreeze, wiper fluid and tools and any fines that might come through the door.
Of course, there’s also parking permits to consider.
CEO of Insurance Revolution Mark Rigby said “Buying a new car is exciting and fun, and it should be!
“You want to show off your new purchase to everyone you know and maybe plan a much-needed road trip too.
“While we want to join you in your excitement, it’s also important to be aware of the extra bills that people sometimes forget about.
“We hope that our research has helped car owners and future car owners with not just the biggest costs but also the things that people sometimes forget about when owning a car such as road tax, parking and car-washing.”
CarGurus recently published its tips for saving fuel and cutting costs for motorists.
They include getting rid of excess weight from your car, removing roof racks when they aren’t needed and driving smoothly rather than accelerating and braking harshly.
It has also warned that a car’s air-con system affects fuel economy and should be used only as much as needed to save fuel.
A car’s tyre pressure is also crucial in ensuring less fuel is used, so drivers are asked to check their car’s official pressure guides and inflate them accordingly.
