Cost of motoring is driven up 9%

THE annual cost of running a car has risen by nearly 9 nine per cent in just five months, according to figures published by Sainsbury's Finance today.

Increases in the price of both petrol and insurance have pushed the average cost of motoring up from 2,338 in October 2009 to around 2,539 now, the statistics revealed.

Compared with September 2007, the rise is even steeper, with the average motorist forking out 438 more a year to run a car – an increase of 20 per cent.

The biggest rises since October 2009 have been in car insurance (up 11 per cent) and fuel (up 10 per cent).

Car owners are spending an average of almost 1,400 a year on petrol or diesel.

The cost of tax has gone up 3.4 per cent in the last five months and by 26 per cent since September 2007.

The cost of servicing vehicles has gone up the least, rising just over 1 per cent since October 2009.

Ben Tyte, a spokesman for Sainsbury's car insurance, said: "The cost of motoring has soared in recent months as all costs, but particularly fuel prices and insurance premiums continue to rise.

"The cost of driving can be kept in check by shopping around, particularly for car insurance and servicing."

Mr Tyte added that, after the higher level of vehicle excise duty tax was introduced on 1 April, those looking to buy new cars should consider trying to haggle over the cost to offset the higher tax.