Is it cheaper to run a motorbike or a car?
If you’re looking for the best way to get around, you may be wondering if a motorcycle is more cost-effective to run than a car. Here we look at car vs motorbike costs, from insurance and road tax to maintenance and repairs to see how they compare.
If you’re looking for the best way to get around, you may be wondering if a motorcycle is more cost-effective to run than a car. Here we look at car vs motorbike costs, from insurance and road tax to maintenance and repairs to see how they compare.
Initial cost
The upfront cost of buying a motorbike can range from a couple of thousand pounds for a basic model to tens of thousands for high-end or specialised bikes.
A new 110cc Honda scooter, for example, costs from around £2,800, while the iconic Harley-Davidson Fat Boy costs in the region of £22,700.
If you’re buying a new car, even the cheapest models cost well over £10,000. The budget Dacia Sandero, for instance, will set you back almost £14,000.
What’s cheaper? Motorbikes win hands down for initial outlay, unless you’re going for a top-of-the-range model. But you can get second-hand cars for all budgets, and car finance can help you spread the cost of a new vehicle.
Insurance
Aside from buying your vehicle, insurance is likely to be your biggest expense.
Most Compare the Market customers were quoted less than £729[1] a year for comprehensive car insurance.
Meanwhile, 51% of customers were quoted less than £652[2] for motorbike insurance. That’s around 20% less than the average car insurance premium, giving wannabe motorcyclists a significant saving.
What’s cheaper? In the car vs bike insurance contest, motorbikes have the edge. But exactly how much you’ll pay for insurance will depend on a variety of factors, including the vehicle model and your claims history.
[1]51% of our customers were quoted less than £728.25 for their comprehensive car insurance in December 2024.
[2]51% of our customers were quoted less than £651.89 for their bike insurance in December 2024.
Fuel
When it comes to fuel economy, both bikes and cars vary hugely in mpg (miles per gallon). That’s because energy consumption is based on engine size, weight and fuel type.
A typical motorcycle can manage around 57 mpg. When comparing popular models, a humble 110cc Honda Vision scooter has an average mpg of 114, while the formidable Kawasaki Z1000 achieves just 45 mpg.
On average, cars can do around 40 miles to the gallon. A city runaround like the Volkswagen Up! averages an impressive 56 mpg, whereas the gas-guzzling Audi S8 luxury limo achieves just under 22 mpg.
Whether your vehicle is petrol or diesel, how you drive and whether you’re doing more motorway or inner-city journeys all play a role in determining the real figure. But there are fuel-guzzlers and cheap runners in both the car and bike categories.
Electric vehicles offer the greatest fuel economy, but you have to think about how far they can go on a single charge. The average range of an electric motorbike is only around 50 miles, whereas electric cars average around 240 miles.
What’s cheaper? A draw – motorbikes generally offer better petrol economy than cars but can’t quite match them when it comes to EV technology.
Tax
Road tax costs for cars registered after 1 April 2017 are based on CO2 emissions. Zero-carbon cars (electric, for example) pay no road tax, and the most polluting cars pay £2,745. After the first year, there’s a flat rate of £190 for all petrol and diesel cars.
Motorbike tax is based on engine size. If your engine is less than 150cc then you’ll pay £25 a year to ride it on the roads. The most you’d pay is £117 for a bike with an engine of 600cc or more.
From April 2025, owners of all electric vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, will have to pay tax.
What’s cheaper? Motorbikes will typically cost less, unless you opt for zero-carbon.
Maintenance and repairs
Servicing, MOTs, and the inevitable cost of repairs all need to be factored in too.
There’s a maximum MOT charge set by the government of £54.85 for cars and £29.65 for standard motorcycles. Garages might offer deals on these costs, making them more affordable, but these are the highest prices you’ll pay.
When it comes to servicing, many garages offer a flat rate. According to Checkatrade, the average cost of a full car service for a small car is £170. You might pay for this once a year or more often, depending on how many miles you clock up.
Service costs for a 125cc motorbike range from around £90 for a basic service to over £400 for a full service.
With repairs, motorbikes have fewer parts that could break down. But they’re often more expensive to replace than car parts because they’re typically made in smaller quantities. Some motorcycles may also require specialist parts that are more expensive to manufacture and fit.
What’s cheaper? Motorbikes generally have less expensive MOT and servicing costs. But repairs can cost more, although it depends on your model and its condition.
Gear and accessories
UK safety laws require you to wear a helmet when you’re riding. You’ll also need to budget for protective clothing such as gloves, boots, goggles and riding leathers. A good-quality helmet will set you back around £80-£200, and you can spend hundreds of pounds on other kit.
Driving a car is much simpler as you won’t need special gear to get behind the wheel.
What’s cheaper? Cars win the day on this one. You don’t need protective gear to drive, although there may be accessories like de-icer and tyre inflators to pay for.
So which is cheaper - cars or motorbikes?
Typically, owning a motorcycle is more affordable than having a car. It has cheaper insurance, tax and MOTs, not to mention lower upfront costs.
- Yearly cost of motorcycle ownership = £1,000-£3,000
- Yearly cost of car ownership = £3,000-£4,000
But for many people, owning a motorbike is more than just a way to get from A to B. It’s a passion. Such enthusiasts aren’t going to settle for average. If you live to ride your bike, you’ll probably be happy to spend a little extra on looking after it.
It’s also important to note that cost shouldn’t be your only consideration when choosing between a car and a bike. Safety, cargo space and weather limitations are important too. Ultimately, the choice is down to your personal preferences and needs.
Whether you’re a two-wheel or four-wheel fan, there’s one thing you can do to save money – make sure you shop around and compare insurance with Compare the Market.
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