Find out which UK cars fall into the lowest insurance group and understand how this affects the cost of cover.
Reviewed by the MySupermarketCompare Editorial Team
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Insurance group 1 represents the lowest tier of the UK car insurance grouping system, which ranges from 1 to 50. Cars placed in group 1 are generally considered the cheapest to insure based on their design, repair costs, performance characteristics, and security features. For drivers looking to keep insurance costs manageable, particularly young drivers or those new to driving, choosing a vehicle in a lower insurance group can be a practical starting point.
That said, the insurance group is only one element that determines your premium. This page explains how the grouping system works, which cars currently sit in group 1, and the other factors insurers consider when calculating what you'll pay for cover.
Every new car sold in the UK is assessed and assigned to one of 50 insurance groups by Thatcham Research, an independent organisation established by the motor insurance industry. This assessment happens before the car reaches showrooms and provides insurers with a standardised way to compare vehicles.
The assessment considers several technical factors:
How much does it cost to repair or replace body panels, bumpers, headlights, and mechanical components? Cars with cheaper parts and simpler construction tend to fall into lower groups.
Labour costs matter. Vehicles that take longer to repair due to complex construction or difficult access to components will typically sit in higher groups.
Acceleration, top speed, and engine power all influence the grouping. Modest-performance vehicles with smaller engines generally achieve lower group ratings.
Factory-fitted alarms, immobilisers, and other security measures are evaluated. Better security can contribute to a lower group rating by reducing theft risk.
How well the car's bumpers absorb low-speed impacts affects repair costs from minor accidents. Better absorption means lower claims costs.
The list price when new factors into potential write-off costs. More affordable vehicles tend to appear in lower groups.
Group 1 contains a relatively small number of vehicles, primarily city cars and superminis with modest specifications. The specific cars in group 1 can vary as new models are released and assessed, but certain vehicles have consistently appeared in this category. Note that different trim levels or engine variants of the same model may fall into different groups.
Hyundai i10
Entry-level 1.0-litre versions sit in group 1. Popular choice for city driving with low running costs. Higher-spec versions may be group 2 or above.
Kia Picanto
Base 1.0-litre models typically achieve group 1. Compact dimensions and efficient engines. The GT-Line and turbocharged versions fall into higher groups.
Volkswagen up!
Entry-level variants of VW's smallest car. Shares platform with Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii. Check specific version as some sit in group 2.
Fiat Panda
Basic versions of the long-running Italian city car. Simple construction and affordable parts keep it in the lowest groups.
Citroen C1 / Peugeot 108 / Toyota Aygo
These three share the same platform. Earlier versions often achieved group 1. Production of these models has now ended, but many remain on UK roads as used cars.
Skoda Citigo
Base models of Skoda's smallest car. Production ceased but remains available used. Part of the VW Group city car trio.
Some cars that were group 1 when new may be harder to find as new purchases today because production has ended (such as the Citroen C1 or Toyota Aygo). However, they remain available on the used market. When considering an older group 1 car, bear in mind that while the insurance group stays the same, factors like the car's age, condition, and security features may influence your premium. Older vehicles may also have parts availability considerations that could affect repair times.
While group 1 represents the theoretical minimum for insurance costs based on the vehicle itself, the difference between adjacent groups isn't always dramatic. Groups 1 to 5 are all considered low insurance groups, and many of the cars in these categories share similar characteristics.
A car in group 2 or 3 might have a slightly larger engine option, additional features that increase repair costs, or marginally higher performance. For practical purposes, if you're choosing between a group 1 and a group 3 car, the group difference alone may not make a substantial difference to your premium. Other factors in your personal circumstances often have more influence.
| Group Range | Typical Characteristics | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entry-level city cars, 1.0L engines, basic trim | Hyundai i10 SE, Kia Picanto 1 |
| 2-3 | City cars with more features, some superminis | Toyota Aygo X, SEAT Mii |
| 4-5 | Popular superminis, small family cars | Skoda Fabia, Dacia Sandero |
| 10-20 | Mid-range family cars, larger engines | Ford Focus, VW Golf |
| 30-50 | Performance cars, luxury vehicles, sports cars | BMW M3, Porsche 911 |
See what cover options are available for your vehicle.
Get Car Insurance QuotesThe insurance group provides a standardised way to compare the relative cost of insuring different vehicles, but it's far from the only consideration. Your individual circumstances play a significant role in the premium you're quoted. Two people insuring identical group 1 cars can receive very different quotes.
Younger and less experienced drivers typically face higher premiums regardless of the car they choose. Insurers use statistical data showing that drivers under 25 are more likely to be involved in accidents. Even with a group 1 car, a 17-year-old will usually pay considerably more than a 40-year-old with 20 years of experience. See our page on car insurance for young drivers for more detail.
Previous claims, convictions, or penalty points on your licence affect how insurers assess your risk. A clean driving record with a no claims bonus built up over several years can reduce your premium significantly.
Your postcode influences your premium. Areas with higher rates of vehicle theft, vandalism, or road accidents typically have higher average insurance costs. Moving house can sometimes change your premium noticeably.
Parking in a locked garage overnight is generally viewed more favourably than parking on the street. However, you must be accurate about where the car is actually kept, not where you'd ideally like to park it.
Lower annual mileage generally means lower premiums because you're spending less time on the road. How you use the car also matters: social use only tends to cost less than commuting or business use.
Choosing a higher voluntary excess (the amount you'd pay towards a claim) can reduce your premium. Comprehensive cover sometimes costs less than third party only, as insurers may view drivers choosing basic cover as higher risk.
Understanding how insurers think can help set realistic expectations. The insurance group is a useful shorthand for the vehicle's characteristics, but underwriters combine it with everything else they know about you and your circumstances.
Consider an 18-year-old who has just passed their test and is insuring a Hyundai i10 (group 1). They have no no-claims bonus, live in an urban area, and park on the street. Despite the low insurance group, they may still face a premium in the thousands because of their age, inexperience, and parking situation.
The same 18-year-old could consider telematics (black box) insurance to demonstrate safe driving habits, potentially reducing their premium over time. Some insurers offer discounts for completing additional driving courses like Pass Plus.
A 35-year-old with 15 years of driving experience, a full no-claims bonus, and a clean licence is comparing a Kia Picanto (group 1) with a Ford Fiesta Zetec (group 8). For this driver, the difference in premium between these two cars may be more modest than expected, because their personal risk profile is already favourable.
The group difference matters more when other risk factors are elevated. For lower-risk drivers, it becomes one factor among many rather than the dominant consideration.
Before assuming a car is group 1, verify the specific variant you're considering. A car advertised simply as a "Hyundai i10" might be an SE version in group 1 or a Premium version in group 3. Engine size, trim level, and transmission all influence the grouping.
Group 1 cars tend to have small, efficient engines, so fuel costs and road tax are usually reasonable too. However, don't make insurance the only consideration. Make sure the car meets your actual needs for space, comfort, and practicality.
Many current group 1 cars are available new, but some popular models (like the original Toyota Aygo or Citroen C1) are now only available used. Older cars may have outdated security features, and parts for discontinued models can sometimes become harder to source, potentially affecting repair times.
If you're buying a used group 1 car that has been modified by a previous owner, you must declare this to insurers. Even cosmetic changes like alloy wheels or tinted windows should be mentioned. Undeclared modifications can invalidate your policy.
Insurance pricing varies significantly between providers. One insurer might offer an attractive rate for group 1 city cars while another focuses on different market segments. Comparing quotes gives you a clearer picture of what's available. If you're looking to keep costs down, see our guide on cheap car insurance.
Many learner drivers and their families choose group 1 cars for practice because they're affordable to buy and insure. If you're learning in your own car or a family member's car, the insurance group can help keep costs manageable during this period.
Once you pass your test, you might consider whether the same group 1 car will serve your needs as a newly qualified driver, or whether your requirements have changed. Either way, starting with a low-group vehicle helps you build driving experience and begin accumulating a no-claims bonus.
This guide was prepared by the MySupermarketCompare editorial team to help UK drivers understand how insurance groups work and which cars typically fall into group 1. We've referenced publicly available information from Thatcham Research, the Association of British Insurers (ABI), and manufacturer specifications. All drivers in the UK are legally required to have at least third-party motor insurance; for more information, see the gov.uk guidance on vehicle insurance.
Insurance groups are one factor in determining premiums, and this page aims to provide context for how they fit into the broader picture of car insurance pricing. Individual quotes will vary based on personal circumstances, and we recommend comparing options from multiple providers.
See what options are available for your car and circumstances.
Get Quotes NowMySupermarketCompare is a comparison website. We are not an insurer. The quotes you receive are provided by third-party insurance providers, each with their own terms, conditions, and eligibility criteria. Premiums depend on individual circumstances and may vary significantly between providers.
Insurance groups are assigned by Thatcham Research and provide a standardised way to compare vehicles. However, group ratings are only one factor in how insurers calculate premiums. We do not provide financial advice, and you should always read policy documentation carefully before purchasing.
MySupermarketCompare.com is an Introducer Appointed Representative (IAR) of Seopa Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 313860). We may receive a commission from providers when you purchase through our comparison service.
Last reviewed: February 2026
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