Car Insurance Group 23: Cars & Cost (UK 2026)
A group 23 car typically costs a mid-range driver around £800–£1,100 a year for comprehensive cover in 2026 — group 23 sits in the mid-range of the UK 1–50 scale, covering larger, sportier and premium-badged models.
What group 23 means and where it sits
Every car sold in the UK is placed in an insurance group from 1 to 50, where group 1 is the cheapest to insure and group 50 the most expensive. Group 23 sits just above the mid-point of that scale, so it is a moderate-to-slightly-higher band — noticeably dearer than the small city cars in groups 1–10, but well below the performance and luxury models clustered in groups 40–50.
The groups are set by Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers (ABI), based on how much a car costs to repair, how long repairs take, the price of parts, performance, the new-car value and how good the security is. A group 23 rating usually means a family hatchback, compact executive saloon, small SUV or a warm hatch — cars with slightly pricier parts or a bit more performance than average.
Cars registered from August 2024 are also being scored under the newer Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system, which uses a 1–99 scale, but the familiar 1–50 group still drives most quotes you will see in 2026. Remember: the group is only one ingredient in your premium. Your age, postcode, mileage, job and claims history usually move the price far more than moving up or down a single group.
How much does a group 23 car cost to insure?
The figures below are indicative annual comprehensive premiums for a typical group 23 car by driver age band. They are illustrative ranges built from published UK price-index data, not live quotes — your own price depends heavily on postcode, mileage, history and the exact model. For context, the overall UK average comprehensive premium in 2026 is roughly £600.
| Driver age band | Indicative annual premium (group 23) | How it compares |
|---|---|---|
| 17–24 | £1,600–£2,300 | Well above average — young-driver loading dominates |
| 25–34 | £950–£1,300 | Above the UK average |
| 35–64 | £700–£1,000 | Around the mid-range driver figure |
| 65+ | £750–£1,100 | Edges up again as age premiums return |
Sources: indicative ranges derived from Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index (Q2 2026, based on 6m+ quotes; 17–24 average ≈£1,099, 25–34 average ≈£832, UK average ≈£580) and ABI/Thatcham Research group definitions. Figures are illustrative for a group 23 vehicle and not a quote.
Cars often rated around group 23
Insurance groups vary by exact trim, engine and model year, so the same nameplate can span several groups. The models below are cars often rated around group 23 in the UK — always check your specific version, as a different engine or trim can shift the group by several points.
- Audi A3 — mid-spec 1.8/2.0 TDI and Sportback variants frequently land in the low-to-mid 20s.
- BMW 1 Series (e.g. 118i M Sport) — the premium compact hatch is commonly rated around group 23.
- Volkswagen Golf — higher-trim and larger-engine Golfs sit in this band, below the GTI.
- Ford Focus — sportier and larger-engine Focus versions push up toward the low-to-mid 20s (well below the ST).
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class — entry-to-mid A-Class hatches are often rated in this region.
- Ford Kuga / Audi Q3 — compact SUVs in mid trim commonly appear around group 23.
Cross-check any car with a free tool such as the Confused.com or MoneySuperMarket group checker, or the Thatcham/ABI data, before you buy — the group can be the difference between two similar-looking trims.
How to pay less in group 23
- Compare widely and early. Get quotes 3–4 weeks before renewal — buying at the last minute costs more.
- Increase your voluntary excess sensibly — a higher excess lowers the premium, but only pledge what you could actually afford to pay on a claim.
- Add a named experienced driver (honestly) to share the risk profile — never "front" a policy, which is fraud.
- Consider a telematics/black-box policy if you are a younger driver — it can cut a group 23 premium sharply if you drive well.
- Improve security and where you park — a garage or driveway and an approved tracker/immobiliser can reduce the price.
- Pay annually rather than monthly to avoid interest, and keep mileage estimates accurate.
See the UK car insurance cost index for current average premiums, and browse all insurance groups or search by vehicle to compare bands.
Group 23 car insurance: FAQs
Sources & review
- Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index (Q2 2026) — average premiums and age-band data.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI) & Thatcham Research — insurance group and Vehicle Risk Rating definitions.
- Thatcham Research group ratings and manufacturer trim data for example vehicles.
Reviewed by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team.
Last updated: 2026-07-06
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