Check what a car costs a new driver
Enter any UK number plate. We look up the car from official DVSA data, check its MOT and tax status, and estimate what it realistically costs a new driver to run.
Common questions
How do I check what a car costs a new driver from its number plate?
Enter the UK registration plate, pick the driver's age, and we identify the car from official DVSA data, then estimate what it costs a new driver to run, led by the insurance group. The figures are estimates to guide a buying decision, not personalised prices.
Why does the insurance group matter so much for a first car?
Insurance groups run from 1 to 50, and a new driver's premium climbs steeply with the group. Two versions of the same model can sit in very different groups, so a 1.0-litre supermini and its sportier sibling can cost very different amounts to run. Checking the exact car before you buy avoids the most expensive first-car mistake.
Where does the car data come from?
The make, model, year, fuel, engine size, recorded mileage and MOT status come from the official DVSA MOT history service, the same data a dealer uses. The running cost estimate — including the insurance figure — comes from First Car Scout's own database. It is always an estimate, not a personalised price.
What are the main factors that affect running costs for a new driver?
The five biggest factors are: (1) the car's insurance group (1–50) — the single biggest lever you can pull at the point of buying; (2) the driver's age — under-25s pay significantly more; (3) where the car is kept overnight — postcode area is a large factor; (4) licence type — provisional vs full affects eligibility and cost; (5) time since passing — new drivers with fewer than 12 months on the road pay more. This tool uses the first three. Licence type and driving history are coming in a future version.
Read: Affordable to buy, expensive to run →