Seven changes drivers can make to cut car costs by up to third in 2022

Here are seven quick changes any driver can make to cut their car costs by a third in 2022.

With many Brits aiming to sort their finances this year, it’s never been a better time to reduce the expenditure of one of the biggest wallet burners — the car.

The average Brit spends £3,406.80 on their car every year, according to financial comparison website Nerd Wallet.

To help motorists cut costs, motor specialist Peter Vardy has revealed seven changes you can make now to save yourself £1,400.42 this year...

1. Add someone else to your insurance to save £426 a year

If you’re new to driving, naming a parent on your policy can reduce your yearly insurance by hundreds.

Research conducted by Uswitch found that you can save an average of £426 by simply naming a parent on your policy.

2. Avoid paying premium fuels for standard cars — Saving yourself £179.14 per year

Retailers often claim that premium fuel offers performance and economy advantages and can even protect your engine.

In reality, unless you’re driving a performance vehicle, you’re unlikely to see many improvements — but you will pay an average of 10p more per litre.

By sticking to standard unleaded, drivers can save themselves £138.32 per year.

3. Haggling can save you money on buying a car, car insurance and breakdown cover

Haggling is an underrated art form, and one forum on Money Saving Expert revealed a £100 saving from RAC by haggling your renewal cover.

According to Money Saving Expert, motorists that have haggled their cover with AA, Admiral and RAC all have had an 80% success rate at reducing their premium.

4. Filling up at a supermarket garage can save you £74.10

Typically, supermarket forecourts are cheaper for fuel compared to branded garages.

By switching to fill up your car at a supermarket garage, you can save yourself £74.10 a year.

5. Save £574 per year by performing your own car maintenance checks

By performing your own regular car maintenance checks, spotting standard wear and tear and fixing it before it becomes a problem, you can avoid paying the average annual repair cost of £574.

6. Cashback credit cards on fuel can save you £53 per year

Purchasing your petrol or diesel with a cashback credit card (like Santander’s 123 account) offers you 3% cashback for each fill-up.

If you filled up your car biweekly, you’d get £52.68 over the full year.

7. Paying your road tax annually instead of monthly saves you up to £29

While it may be easier to spread the cost of road tax, it ends up costing more in the long run.

Saving up to pay it in one lump sum can save you £29 per year.