What are the cheapest cars to insure?

If you’re in the market for your next car, you should be thinking about the cost of insurance. As one of the biggest costs car owners face, it’s worth considering what’s the cheapest car to insure for you. This is especially true if you’re looking at cheap starter cars for new drivers or learner drivers.

To help you find cheap cars to insure, we'll look at some of the cheapest cars to insure in 2023.

Written by

Julie Daniels

Motor insurance comparison expert

Last Updated

14 APRIL 2023

5 min read

How is my car insurance premium calculated?

The price of your car insurance is calculated using many factors. New cars are generally more expensive to insure, because they’re more valuable and therefore have higher repair costs or are more expensive to replace for insurance providers. Likewise, electric car insurance may be more expensive than a petrol engine model.

How does my driving history affect my car insurance?

Your age, how long you’ve had your licence and any penalty points or convictions are all taken into consideration when insurance providers calculate your premium. If you have a clean driving history, with a lengthy no-claims history, you should be rewarded with cheaper car insurance.

How does engine size affect car insurance?

Broadly speaking, the bigger engine your car has, the higher the insurance premium. That’s because motorists with powerful high-performance cars are deemed more likely to be involved in an accident and are usually more expensive to replace. Small cars, with smaller engines, are likely to be cheaper.

How does security affect car insurance?

Alarms, immobilisers or other built-in security features are all designed to deter thieves. Installing these security measures could see your insurance provider offer you a cheaper premium.

Where you keep your car when it’s not in use will also affect your premium. If it’s parked on the street, it’s more likely to be targeted by thieves. But if it’s kept in a CCTV-operated car park or secure garage, it could be considered less of a risk by insurance providers.

How does the insurance group affect your car insurance premium?

All cars are placed into a car insurance group. These range from one to 50. Generally speaking, cars in low insurance groups are the cheaper to insure, while models in group 50 are among the most expensive.

You can check which group your car is in using our car insurance group checker.

Cheapest Cars to Insure (2023)

We’ve put together a list of some of the cheapest cars for insurance. This includes some of the best-selling cars that are allocated to the lowest insurance group (group one), including new and used cars. How much your insurance costs will depend on your personal details and driving history.

1. CITROEN C1 (2005-2014)

Vibe and Airplay models

With its compact size, the Citroen C1 makes for a great city runner. While it may be small, it’s smart with the space it does have and offers a modern look. Its 1.0-litre engine means it doesn’t have a lot of power behind it, but it’s cheap to run.

2. FIAT PANDA (2004-2011)

Active, Active ECO and Dynamic five door models

Thanks to its shape and design, the Fiat Panda is quite roomy for a hatchback. It’s a relatively cheap model, which means it’s fairly basic in terms of features, but offers good value for money.

3. FORD KA+ (2016-2019)

Studio model

That plus has gone a long way. The Ford Ka+ puts that extra into everything. It’s more spacious and stylish than its predecessor, but remains an affordable, comfortable, albeit simple, car.

4. HYUNDAI i10 PREMIUM (2014-2020)

S, SE and S Air models

Good things sometime come in small packages, and the Hyundai i10 certainly fits that description. Ideal as a small city car, this hatchback has a fresh design and features plenty of modern tech, all at a competitive price.

5. KIA RIO (2011-2017)

CRDi 1 Air model

As a cheap hatchback, the Kia Rio offers style and features which could go toe-to-toe with its rivals. Its low running costs, good fuel economy and low emissions make it ideal for any environmentally conscious driver who’s looking for a good deal.

Like all Kia models, they also come with a seven-year warranty.

6. NISSAN MICRA (2017-2023)

Visia and Visia+ models

The newer Nissan Micra has a sharper, more edgy design than its predecessors, making it a much more modern-looking hatchback. It’s still a little bit tight for space in the back, but roomier than the older models. Its low emissions make it a good pick for drivers looking to go greener, and it has a number of other modern motoring safety features, too. These include lane-keeping assistance and autonomous emergency braking, including pedestrian detection.

7. SKODA FABIA (2015-2021)

SE models

A great value-for-money hatchback, the Skoda Fabia is cheap to buy and to run. It’s also got plenty of room for a hatchback, with a comfortable and stylish interior. It may lag slightly behind some of its competitors in terms of modern features — there’s no air-conditioning as standard with the entry-level specification — but, if you’re on a budget, this is still a great choice.

8. VAUXHALL CORSA (2006-2014)

Expression and ecoFLEX Expression models

A regular sight on UK roads, the Vauxhall Corsa is a popular choice for young drivers looking for a cheap first car. However, it’s good value for money. It has a smart, albeit slightly uninspiring design, but is roomy and comfortable for all drivers.

9. VOLKSWAGEN POLO (2017-2023)

S, SE and Beats models

Another popular model in the UK, the Volkswagen Polo is popular for a reason. It may be more expensive than other models on this list, but it has an impressive array of features and technology. Although you’ll have to pay more for the top-end features.

10. VOLKSWAGEN UP! MOVE UP (2012-2023)

While the VW UP! might be small, don’t underestimate it. It’s smart, smooth and more spacious on the inside than you’d expect, and that small size makes it ideal for an inner-city car.

How can I compare car insurance quotes?

One of the quickest ways to make sure you get great value car insurance is to compare quotes. It’s simple to do and won’t take more than a few minutes of your time. Give us some details about you and your car, and we’ll provide you with a list quotes. Your results will start with the cheapest insurance available for you from our panel.

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