Durham has been named the cheapest U.K. city to own a car.
The new research, conducted by car insurance provider A-Plan Insurance, calculated the average price of petrol, parking, car insurance and an MOT across the nation. Each city was then given a score of 100, with the highest being the cheapest.
Durham is the cheapest U.K. city to own a car; ranking considerably higher than any other, with a total price score of 82.4. The average price of petrol, for example, costs 136p per litre in Durham, the lowest price across the nation. Additionally, the average price of car insurance in this city is £731, more than £300 less than the national average.
Stoke on Trent is the second cheapest city to own a car, with a total price score of 69.0. Here, petrol costs 139p per litre on average. The city also has the lowest parking costs of £2 per hour – tying with Durham, Stirling and Kingston-Upon-Hull.
In third position is Inverness, with a total price score of 67.5. The average price of petrol comes in at 139p per litre. This city also has the lowest average price of car insurance at £607 per year.
Lancaster has been named the fourth cheapest U.K. city to own a car. This location has a total price score of 66.5, and petrol costs 144p per litre. Lancaster also has the cheapest price of an MOT, averaging at £155.
In fifth place is Preston, with a total score of 66.3. The average price of petrol comes in at 139p per liter and an MOT is £185, £27 less than the national average.
Stirling has been named the sixth cheapest city to drive a car. Here, petrol is on the pricier side at 145p per litre, but the city has the second lowest average cost of car insurance at £684 per year.
Next is Sheffield, with a total price score of 63.0. On average, petrol costs 140p per litre and an MOT will put you back £173 in this city.
Hereford is the eighth cheapest city to own a car. The location has a total price score of 62.9, the price of petrol is 143p per litre and the price of car in insurance is £761 per year.
Wakefield has a total price score of 62.5. In this city, petrol costs 141p per litre and parking will cost £3 per hour on average.
Kingston-Upon-Hull is the tenth cheapest U.K. city to own a car. The new research has revealed that this city has a total score of 62.1, petrol costs 146p per liter and an MOT is £185.
However, the most expensive U.K. cities to own a car are Westminster, London, Brighton & Hove and Winchester.
A spokesperson at A-Plan Insurance has commented: “The burgeoning cost of living crisis has caused everyday expenses to rise exponentially, including those associated with owning a car, such as buying petrol. This has affected countless people across the nation, with many cutting back on daily costs to accommodate for this increase.
“The data shows that most of the cheapest cities to own a car are in the North, while the South may be spending a larger portion of their wages on their vehicles. This offers people a fascinating insight into petrol, insurance, parking and MOT prices, whether they’re residents of these cities or are considering visiting this spring and summer.”
A-Plan Insurance are leading providers of car insurance, home insurance, life insurance and more.
| U.K. Cities | Cheapest price score |
| Durham | 82.4 |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 69.0 |
| Inverness | 67.5 |
| Lancaster | 66.5 |
| Preston | 66.3 |
| Stirling | 65.3 |
| Sheffield | 63.0 |
| Hereford | 62.9 |
| Wakefield | 62.5 |
| Kingston-Upon-Hull | 62.1 |
| U.K. Cities | Most expensive price scores |
| Westminster | 21.4 |
| London | 24.4 |
| Brighton & Hove | 34.7 |
| Winchester | 38.4 |
| Chelmsford | 40.4 |
| Canterbury | 40.7 |
| Cambridge | 41.7 |
| Oxford | 42.0 |
| Bath | 42.4 |
| Southampton | 43.0 |
