A car insurance group is a rating from 1 to 50 assigned by Thatcham Research on behalf of the Association of British Insurers (ABI). It summarises how expensive a vehicle is likely to be to insure based on factors such as repair costs, parts pricing, performance, safety, security, and the car's original value. Group 1 represents the cheapest cars to insure, while group 50 covers the most expensive. Insurers use this group as a core input when calculating your premium.

Yes — the terms 'band' and 'group' are used interchangeably to describe the same ABI 1–50 scale. Do not confuse insurance groups with car tax bands, which are set by the government based on CO2 emissions and are a completely separate system.

The insurance group is one of the most significant factors insurers consider. While your personal circumstances — age, location, claims history, and no-claims discount — also play a major role, a car in group 40 will typically cost substantially more to insure than an identical driver insuring a group 10 vehicle. Always check the group before committing to a purchase.

Yes. You can check the insurance group of any used car by entering its registration number into a Check‑Buy‑Drive report. Whether you're buying from a dealer or a private seller, knowing the insurance group helps you estimate ongoing costs and make an informed decision before exchanging money.

Insurance groups are assigned per model variant, not per make and model alone. Differences in engine size, power output, trim level, and optional equipment can push one variant into a significantly higher group than another. For example, a base-model hatchback might sit in group 12, while the same car with a sportier engine and higher specification could land in group 22.

Group 1 is the lowest and cheapest insurance group. Cars in this group are typically small, affordable, easy to repair, and have modest performance. They are popular choices for new drivers, young motorists, and anyone looking to minimise insurance costs. Examples include entry-level city cars and small hatchbacks.

You cannot change the insurance group of a specific vehicle — it is fixed by Thatcham Research based on the car's specifications. However, you can choose a lower-group variant of the same model when buying, or consider a different model altogether. Adding a Thatcham-approved tracking device may not change the group but can reduce your premium.

Generally, yes — but your personal circumstances matter just as much. A young driver insuring a group 1 car may still pay more than an experienced driver with a strong no-claims discount insuring a group 30 vehicle. The group sets the vehicle's side of the equation; your personal profile determines the rest.

A specialist panel of members from the Association of British Insurers assigns groups based on detailed vehicle and technical data collected and analysed by Thatcham Research. Each car is scored across multiple criteria — including price, performance, safety, security, and repair costs — and then placed into the most appropriate group from 1 to 50.

A Check‑Buy‑Drive history check goes far beyond insurance group. It reveals recorded write-off status (Cat S or Cat N), MOT failure and advisory history, outstanding finance agreements, mileage discrepancies, and import/export records. Combined with the insurance group information, you get a complete picture of the vehicle's true cost and risk before you buy.