Skip to main content
GB
MOT
Checkup
Insurance Group Checker

Car Insurance Groups 1–50 Explained

Find out which insurance group your car is in and what it means for your premium. Enter your registration to check your vehicle's details, engine, and specification.

GB

Free vehicle check. See engine, specs, and factors affecting your insurance.

Insurance Group Scale

UK cars are rated from group 1 (cheapest) to group 50 (most expensive). Here's what each range means.

1–10
Low

Small, low-powered cars with cheap parts. Ideal for new drivers and those seeking the lowest premiums.

Examples: VW Up, Fiat Panda, Toyota Aygo, Hyundai i10, Dacia Sandero, Skoda Citigo

11–20
Low–Medium

Popular family hatchbacks and small SUVs. Good balance of capability and affordable insurance.

Examples: Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Vauxhall Corsa, Nissan Juke, SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia

21–30
Medium

Larger family cars, mid-range SUVs, and hot hatchbacks. Moderate insurance costs.

Examples: VW Golf GTI, Ford Focus ST, BMW 1 Series, Audi A3, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5

31–40
Medium–High

Premium saloons, performance cars, and luxury SUVs. Higher premiums due to value and repair costs.

Examples: BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4, Range Rover Evoque, Tesla Model 3

41–50
High

High-performance sports cars, luxury vehicles, and supercars. The most expensive to insure.

Examples: Porsche 911, BMW M3, Mercedes AMG, Range Rover, Tesla Model S, Audi RS models

What Determines Your Insurance Group?

The Group Rating Panel assesses every new car model against these key factors.

Vehicle Value

The new list price and cost of replacement parts. More expensive cars cost more to repair or replace, pushing them into higher groups.

Performance

Engine power, top speed, and acceleration. Faster cars have higher accident risk and typically fall into higher insurance groups.

Repair Costs

Time and parts cost for common repairs. Cars with expensive or hard-to-source parts (especially imports) get higher ratings.

Safety Rating

Euro NCAP crash test scores, AEB, airbag count, and pedestrian protection. Safer cars often get lower group ratings.

Security Features

Thatcham security rating for the alarm and immobiliser. Better security reduces theft risk and can lower the group.

Bumper Compatibility

How well the bumper absorbs low-speed impacts. Cars with better bumper performance have lower repair costs in minor accidents.

Tips to Lower Your Car Insurance

Beyond choosing a low-group car, these strategies can help reduce your premium.

Choose a car in insurance groups 1–10 for the lowest premiums

Build up no-claims discount — 5+ years can reduce premiums by 60%+

Increase your voluntary excess to lower the annual premium

Add a named experienced driver to your policy (never fronting)

Keep your car parked in a garage or on a driveway, not on the road

Consider black box (telematics) insurance if you are a new driver

Pay annually rather than monthly to avoid interest charges

Compare quotes from multiple insurers — don’t auto-renew

Reduce your estimated annual mileage if you drive less

Avoid modifications that increase performance or visual appeal

Insurance Groups FAQ

Common questions about car insurance groups in the UK.

What are car insurance groups?
Car insurance groups are a rating system from 1 to 50 that classifies every car sold in the UK based on how expensive it is to insure. Group 1 is the cheapest to insure and group 50 is the most expensive. The grouping is set by the Group Rating Panel, made up of members from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Lloyds Market Association (LMA). Every new car model is assessed and assigned a group before it goes on sale.
How are insurance groups determined?
Insurance groups are determined by several factors: the car’s value (new price and parts costs), performance (top speed, 0–60 time, engine size), repair costs (how long repairs take, cost of parts, complexity), safety features (NCAP rating, AEB, airbags), and security features (alarm, immobiliser, Thatcham rating). Cars that are cheap to buy, slow, cheap to repair, safe, and secure get the lowest groups.
Does my car's insurance group affect my premium?
Yes, the insurance group is one of the key factors insurers use to calculate your premium. A higher group generally means a higher premium because the car is more expensive to repair or replace, more powerful (higher accident risk), or more attractive to thieves. However, the insurance group is just one factor — your age, driving history, location, annual mileage, and other personal factors also significantly affect your premium.
What insurance group is cheapest to insure?
Group 1 cars are the cheapest to insure. These are typically small, low-powered cars with good safety ratings and cheap parts. Popular group 1–5 cars include: Volkswagen Up, Fiat Panda, Skoda Citigo, Toyota Aygo, Hyundai i10, Citroen C1, Peugeot 108, and Dacia Sandero. If you are a new or young driver looking for affordable insurance, choosing a car in groups 1–10 can significantly reduce your premiums.
Can the same car model be in different insurance groups?
Yes. Different engine sizes, trim levels, and specifications of the same model can be in different insurance groups. For example, a Ford Fiesta 1.0 might be in group 6 while a Ford Fiesta ST (1.5 turbo) could be in group 25. The specific variant, engine, transmission, and optional extras all affect the group rating. Always check the insurance group for the exact variant you are considering.
How can I find out my car's insurance group?
You can check your car’s insurance group by entering the registration number on our site. We will show you the vehicle’s details along with information about its specification and characteristics that determine the insurance group. You can also check directly via the Thatcham Research website or ask your insurance provider for the group rating of your specific vehicle.
Do modifications affect my insurance group?
Modifications do not change the official insurance group assigned to the base vehicle, but they will affect your premium. You must declare all modifications to your insurer. Performance modifications (engine tuning, exhaust upgrades, turbo kits) will typically increase your premium significantly. Even cosmetic modifications like alloy wheels or lowered suspension must be declared. Failure to disclose modifications could invalidate your policy.
Are electric cars expensive to insure?
Electric cars tend to be in higher insurance groups than equivalent petrol or diesel models, primarily because of the high cost of the battery and specialist repair requirements. However, this is improving as EVs become more common and repair networks expand. Some insurers now offer specialist EV policies with competitive rates. The insurance group for an EV is still based on the same factors: value, repair cost, performance, safety, and security.

More Free Vehicle Checks

Get a complete picture of any vehicle before you buy.

Free Car Check

Comprehensive free vehicle check.

Write-Off Check

Check for Cat N/S write-off history.

MOT History

Full MOT test history from 2005.

Car Tax Check

Check tax status and VED rates.

Check Your Vehicle's Insurance Group

Enter any UK registration to see the vehicle's specification and factors that determine the insurance group.

GB