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If you want to keep your car insurance premiums as affordable as possible you’ll need a car with the lowest insurance group rating. To help you choose we’ve gathered together the eight best used cars that fall into insurance group 1.
If you’re a young driver looking for your first car, or if you simply want to reduce your running costs, the good news is that there are lots of great used cars out there that won’t cost a fortune to insure.
We’ve put together a list of the top eight best used cars you can buy with a group 1 insurance rating – the most affordable you can get.
Insurance group numbers are part of an insurance rating system that calculates how much your premium will cost. It’s particularly important for new drivers to know how insurance groups work, in order to keep their insurance costs down. The ratings go from 1 to 50 and, generally speaking, the lower the number, the lower your premium.
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Can you have a car that costs little to insure but also feels like a premium product? You can with the Volkswagen Polo – it’s been around for many years and has gained a reputation for dependability and comfort. The latest model looks sharp and its roomy interior has a high-quality feel with useful high-tech features, including digital dials and a touchscreen infotainment system.
Polos with the least-powerful 1.0-litre engine get the low insurance rating you’re looking for, which will make them cost-effective to run, yet they’re nippy enough for the motorway.
If giving lifts to your mates or your family is a big priority, you’ll want to take a look at the Hyundai i10. On the outside, it’s tiny – small enough to be a doddle to drive around town and it has great views out so it’s easy to park. Yet inside you have three back seats (some cars of this size only have two) and there’s lots of space for four adults to sit comfortably, or even five at a push.
There’s even more to the i10 – it’s also great to drive and comes with a smart-looking interior.
Most of the 1.0-litre versions come with a group 1 insurance rating and all i10s get a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty from new, so you might find one with loads of protection still in effect.
A great option if you’re looking for lots of space on a budget, the Skoda Fabia is about the same size as a Ford Fiesta but its clever design gives you more boot space and back-seat legroom than most rivals.
The Fabia is also really comfortable. Its soft suspension makes it super-smooth over bumps and composed and confident on the motorway for a relaxing drive. If you do lots of long-distance journeys it’s a great option. Choose one of the entry-level versions and you’ll get the low insurance costs you’re looking for.
The Nissan Micra is one of the most powerful cars on this list, so it’s the one to have if you want to pair your low insurance costs with good performance. The Micra’s sharp styling also sets it apart from most other small cars – as does its interior, which doesn’t just look good but feels light and airy too.
The best news of all is that every Micra with the entry-level engine has a group 1 insurance rating, so you can pick from a range of versions and still get the least expensive insurance.
Where the Ford Ka+ succeeds is in providing simple, hassle-free motoring at a bargain price. It’s a great-value used car that costs less than most rivals and is very cost-effective to run.
Those low running costs extend to insurance. Go for the 1.0-litre engine and you’ll benefit from very low insurance premiums – all of which makes this an ideal choice if you’re intent on sticking to a budget.
Diesel engines are very fuel-efficient, but it’s rare to find a diesel-powered car with low-cost insurance. Nevertheless, the Kia Rio is just that. From 2015 onwards, the “1 Air” model benefited from low insurance premiums when combined with the 1.1-litre diesel engine.
Low fuel consumption means it’s one of the most affordable cars to run in this list. As with all Kias, the Rio has a good reputation for reliability, but there’s even more peace of mind when you find one with time left on its standard seven-year warranty from new.
If you’d like to drive something stylish while paying peanuts for your insurance, then look no further – the Smart ForFour could be the car for you.
Look for the Pure model for the lowest-price insurance. Even so, it comes with a relatively zingy little engine that gives more than enough performance for nipping around town. You also get the Smart’s unique design inside and out. The ForFour is small enough to fit into the tiniest parking spaces, yet with four seats it’s a surprisingly practical little car.
Another car that combines city-friendly dimensions with good interior space is the Volkswagen Up – and the same goes for the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo, both of which are identical to the Up but for some small design tweaks.
What’s more, the high-quality materials used for the Up’s interior mean you won’t feel like you’re pinching pennies – even while you are. Good fuel efficiency, a comfortable ride and a fun driving experience all add to the Up’s appeal, and with lower-specification versions, insurance costs are as low as you can get. Look for entry-level trims and the smallest 1.0-litre engine.
You’ll find lots of used cars for sale at Cazoo, all available to buy through our trusted dealers.
Cazoo makes selling a car just as easy – just enter a few details for an instant online valuation. If you accept the offer our partners will get in touch to arrange payment and collection of your car at a time that suits you.
