Cheapest First Cars to Run

Ranked by the full monthly cost, insurance, fuel, road tax and servicing added together, for a young new driver. The lowest insurance group car isn't always the cheapest to run overall, road tax and fuel economy both move the total too.

Figures below were checked 4 July 2026 and will move over time as the market and our data change. Insurance group and running cost both depend on the exact registration year and engine, not just the model name, so always confirm both for the specific car you're looking at (see why that is).

1. Toyota Aygo 1.0 petrol
   2009 to 2014 Insurance group 3

   £235/month all in: £142 insurance, £77 fuel, £2 road tax, £15 servicing. Wins on total cost mainly because of its unusually low road tax, not the lowest insurance group here.

2. Kia Picanto 1.0 petrol
   2016 to 2023 Insurance group 2

   £244/month all in: £141 insurance, £80 fuel, £9 road tax, £15 servicing.

3. Hyundai i10 1.0 petrol
   2017 to 2026 Insurance group 2

   £254/month all in: £141 insurance, £82 fuel, £17 road tax, £14 servicing. This group mixes older used examples with nearly-new stock; check the exact registration.

4. Volkswagen Polo 1.0 petrol
   2018 to 2021 Insurance group 1

   £255/month all in: £140 insurance, £81 fuel, £16 road tax, £18 servicing. The lowest insurance group of this five, but not the cheapest overall once the rest is added.

5. Ford Fiesta 1.25 petrol Zetec
   2012 to 2017 Insurance group 7

   £279/month all in: £162 insurance, £90 fuel, £10 road tax, £17 servicing.

Figures checked 4 July 2026.