Low Insurance Group Cars
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What are low insurance group cars?
Every UK car is rated by the Group Rating Panel administered by Thatcham Research on behalf of the Association of British Insurers, and placed into one of 50 insurance groups (Thatcham Research, Insurance Group Rating). Cars in groups 1-10 are widely considered “low insurance group cars” — they typically carry the lowest premiums because they cost less to repair, have small engines, and have good security ratings. For the full UK groups list 1-50, see the main car insurance groups page.
Groups 1-5: the very cheapest band
Cars in groups 1 to 5 are typically small city cars and superminis with engines under 1.2 litres. Standard equipment is basic and parts are widely available — both factors that push premiums down.
Groups 6-10: still low, slightly more equipment
Groups 6-10 cover slightly larger superminis and small hatchbacks. Engines are still small (1.2L-1.4L), but extra trim, tech, or performance can lift a model above group 5.
Why “low group” doesn’t always mean “cheapest for you”
The group is one factor. Driver age, postcode, mileage, no-claims discount, and any modifications all change the actual quote. A 17-year-old in a group 1 car often pays more than a 50-year-old in a group 15 car.
The cheapest cars to insure: which models sit in groups 1-10
Below are example cars in each of the lowest insurance groups, based on Group Rating Panel data published by the ABI (ABI Group Rating). Groups change quarterly and trim, engine size, and year all affect placement, so always confirm the exact group with your V5C log book or the Quotezone reg-based quote form.
Group 1
The lowest band on the UK scale. Examples typically include certain trims of the Hyundai i10 (1.0L), Volkswagen up! (1.0L), Citroën C1 (1.0L), and Skoda Citigo (1.0L). All small petrol superminis with basic trim and standard security.
Group 2
Examples include certain trims of the Kia Picanto (1.0L), Suzuki Celerio (1.0L), and entry-level Toyota Aygo. Premiums sit just slightly above group 1 cars.
Group 3
Examples include the Peugeot 108 (1.0L), Toyota Aygo (1.0L higher trims), Vauxhall Viva, and Renault Twingo (1.0L). Still firmly in the low-insurance band for new drivers.
Group 4
Examples include the Fiat Panda (1.2L), SEAT Mii (1.0L higher trims), and certain Suzuki Swift (1.2L) variants. A common starting point for slightly larger superminis.
Group 5
Examples include the Fiat 500 (1.2L petrol), Renault Twingo (higher trims), and certain Hyundai i10 trims with extra equipment. A frequent pick for new drivers seeking lower premiums on a stylish small car.
Groups 6-7
Examples include the Volkswagen up! (higher trims), Ford Ka+ (entry trims), and certain Kia Picanto trims with added equipment. Engine size still under 1.2L for most models in this band.
Groups 8-10
Examples include the Nissan Micra (entry 1.0L trims), Hyundai i20 (1.2L), Skoda Fabia (1.0L), and entry-level Vauxhall Corsa. Group 10 is often the upper limit for cars marketed as “cheap to insure” before premiums climb.
Why are low insurance group cars cheaper?
The Group Rating Panel scores every UK car on five core factors before assigning a group from 1 to 50 (ABI, Setting the price of motor insurance). Cars that score well on all five end up in the lowest groups. For the full mechanics, see the car insurance groups hub.
Cheap, widely available repair parts
Small UK-volume cars like the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, and Hyundai i10 use parts that are mass-produced and easy to source. That keeps repair bills down and pushes the group down.
Small engines and modest performance
A 1.0L supermini is statistically less likely to be involved in serious claims than a 2.0L performance hatchback. Lower power = lower group.
Short repair times after typical claims
The Group Rating Panel measures how long a model takes to repair after a standard rear-end shunt. Simple body designs with bolt-on panels (most superminis) repair faster than complex aluminium-bodied cars, lowering claim costs.
Standard-fit security
Alarms, immobilisers, and engine-locking from the factory all reduce theft risk. Cars meeting Thatcham category security standards earn a lower group.
Lower replacement value
If the car is written off, the insurer pays out the market value. Cheaper cars cost the insurer less to replace, which feeds through into lower premiums.
The new Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system
For cars first registered from 1 August 2024, Thatcham Research introduced a new Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) score that runs alongside the original 1-50 group system (Thatcham Research, Insurance Group Rating). The two systems are running in parallel and the VRR score is expected to become the primary reference for new registrations over time. The 1-50 group system continues to apply to cars registered before August 2024.
What VRR scores
VRR scores cars across five risk areas: performance, damageability, repairability, safety, and security. Each area gets a score from 1 (lowest risk) to 99 (highest risk), and the scores combine into an overall risk profile.
Why VRR was introduced
The original 1-50 system was designed for traditional internal combustion cars. Modern vehicles — particularly EVs and cars with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) — have repair and risk profiles that the older system struggles to measure accurately.
What it means for low-insurance-group cars
For cars registered before August 2024, the 1-50 group system still decides where your car sits. For cars registered after, expect insurers to start quoting against VRR scores. A car that would have been “low group” under the old system may rank differently on the new scale.
When VRR will fully replace groups
Thatcham has not announced a fixed retirement date for the 1-50 group system. The two systems run in parallel for now, and insurers can use either or both when setting premiums.
Best low-group cars for new and young drivers
For new and young drivers, choosing a car from groups 1-10 is one of the most effective single decisions for keeping premiums down. The car selection itself matters more than tactics like telematics or named drivers — start with a low-group car, then layer cost-reduction tactics on top. For young-driver-specific guidance and telematics options, see young driver car insurance and black box insurance.
First-car shortlist (groups 1-3)
For 17-19 year olds on a tight insurance budget, focus the shortlist on group 1-3 cars: the Hyundai i10, Volkswagen up!, Citroën C1, Kia Picanto, and Toyota Aygo. All are small, simple, and consistently rank near the bottom of the group scale.
Group 4-7 — small step up in style or trim
If the shortlist needs more equipment or a slightly larger car, the Fiat 500, Suzuki Swift, Renault Twingo, and entry-trim Vauxhall Corsa add space without pushing the group too high. All typically sit in groups 4-7 in their lowest trims.
Avoid: high-trim variants and modifications
The same model in different trims can sit several groups apart. A Ford Fiesta 1.0 Trend is far cheaper to insure than a Fiesta 1.5 ST-Line. Any modification — alloys, performance parts, body kits — must be declared and will push the premium up regardless of the underlying group.
How to find the cheapest insurance on a low-group car
Picking a low-group car gets you started. Five further steps typically have the biggest impact on the final quote you get for that car. Quotezone compares quotes from over 130 UK providers and works for low-group cars whether you’re a new driver, a returning driver, or buying a second car.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
The same low-group car can quote significantly different premiums across insurers. Comparing 130+ UK providers in one place via Quotezone is the single biggest leverage point on most quotes.
Raise the voluntary excess (within limits)
Higher voluntary excess often reduces the premium, but only raise it to a level you can comfortably afford to pay if you need to claim. Don’t raise excess to a level that would stop you actually claiming — that defeats the point of cover.
Pay annually if you can
Monthly direct debit usually adds an interest charge on most policies (effectively a credit agreement). Paying the annual premium upfront avoids that, often saving 5-15% over the year.
Build and protect a no-claims discount
Years of claim-free driving can reduce a premium by 50% or more on most policies. NCD protection is often inexpensive on top — worth checking the cost vs the discount it protects.
Don’t modify a low-group car
Even cosmetic modifications (alloys, body kits) must be declared and will push the premium up. The whole point of buying a low-group car is to keep premiums down — modifications work against that.
Low insurance group cars: frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest car insurance group in the UK?
Which cars are in insurance group 1?
Are all low-group cars cheap to insure?
Do electric cars sit in low insurance groups?
Will the new Vehicle Risk Rating system replace insurance groups?
How can I check what insurance group my car is in?
Are low-group cars always small cars?
Is it cheaper to insure a low-group car as a new driver?
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Reviewed by: Greg Wilson
Founder & Insurance Expert
Written by: Katie Gawley
Insurance Content Writer
Fact-checked by: Quotezone Editorial Team
This content follows our Editorial Guidelines
Last Updated: 24 April 2026
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