RAC Cost of Motoring 2011 Index

Published Date: 29th Nov 2011

The RAC have recently published their annual cost of motoring index for 2011. Uk Car Discount provide the costing for the new vehicles and are listed in the credits.

They report that it has not been an easy year for the motorist in 2011. At a time when family budgets are being squeezed, drivers have had to contend with record high fuel prices and a sharp increase in the cost of car insurance.

The 2011 Cost of Motoring Index, based on a pool of 17 cars, reveals that:

The average annual cost of owning and running a new car has increased by £819 (14.0%) to £6,689. It now costs £128.64 a week or 55.74p per mile

There have been sharp rises in the cost of fuel, insurance and depreciation which have all contributed to this increase

Small cars are 28.5% or £1,907 cheaper than the overall average. Compared to 2010, small cars have become proportionately cheaper to own and run than large family cars

Used cars continue to be cheaper to own overall and cost an average of £4,724 per year The gap in costs between new and used has widened slightly by £270 from 2010. However, when you consider just running costs, used cars are £361 more expensive to run than new cars.

The cost of driving a hybrid or all electric car is £6,355. This is 5.0% cheaper than driving an equivalent petrol or diesel car.

Commercial motoring costs (for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes) have increased by £69 (0.78%) to £8,928 per year in 2011. The increase is lower than other vehicles due to a fall in the cost of depreciation.