Car Insurance Group 35: Cars and Cost (UK 2026)
A group 35 car typically costs a mid-range UK driver about £1,100–£1,600 a year for comprehensive cover in 2026 — well above the ~£600 national average, because group 35 sits among higher-value premium models, larger SUVs and many EVs.
What car insurance group 35 means
Every new 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 35 sits firmly in the higher-cost upper band (groups 31–40), which covers premium saloons and estates, larger and performance SUVs, and a growing number of electric vehicles whose batteries and repair costs push the rating up.
The groups are set by Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers (ABI), based on the cost of parts, repair times, performance, new-car value and security. A group 35 rating tells insurers a car is relatively expensive to repair or replace, so premiums start from a higher base than an average car. Note that cars first registered from August 2024 are rated under the newer 1–99 Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system, which runs alongside the classic 1–50 groups.
Importantly, the group is only one input. Your age, postcode, mileage, claims history and no-claims discount usually move the price far more than the group number itself. That is why a 40-year-old and a 19-year-old insuring the same group 35 car can see quotes thousands of pounds apart.
Indicative group 35 premiums by driver age
The figures below are indicative estimates for a group 35 car in 2026, blended from published price-index data and typical group-35 comprehensive quotes. They are a guide only — your own quote depends heavily on postcode, mileage, car value and claims history. For context, the overall UK average car insurance premium is around £600.
| Driver age band | Indicative annual premium (group 35, comprehensive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 17–24 | £2,600–£4,500+ | Highest risk band; little or no no-claims history |
| 25–34 | £1,300–£1,900 | Falls quickly as experience and NCD build |
| 35–64 | £1,100–£1,600 | Typical mid-range driver; the figures most often quoted |
| 65+ | £1,150–£1,700 | Rises modestly again at older ages |
Sources: indicative estimates by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team, informed by the Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index (2026), ABI premium tracker and Thatcham Research group ratings. Figures are illustrative and not a quote.
As a single reference point, comparison research puts a typical group 35 comprehensive policy at around £1,056 a year for a representative driver — consistent with the mid-range band above. Compare the full picture in our UK car insurance cost index.
Cars often rated around group 35
Insurance groups vary by exact trim, engine, gearbox and options, so the same model can span several groups. The cars below are examples often rated in or around group 35 — always check your specific variant before you buy. Representative examples include:
- Audi A6 / Q5 — premium executive saloons and mid-size SUVs; several diesel and quattro trims sit around this band.
- BMW 5 Series — larger executive saloons and estates in higher-powered specifications.
- Jaguar XF / F-Pace — premium British saloon and SUV with higher parts and repair costs.
- Volvo XC60 — popular mid-large SUV; many trims fall in the low-to-mid 30s groups.
- Land Rover Discovery — large 4x4 with high value and expensive repairs.
- Porsche Macan — performance compact SUV; higher-spec versions sit around and above this level.
Many electric and plug-in hybrid versions of premium models also land in this region because of battery repair and replacement costs. Browse cars another way with our by-vehicle guides, or step through the neighbouring bands: group 34 and group 36.
How to pay less in group 35
- Compare widely and early. Quote across several insurers and brokers 3–4 weeks before renewal — buying early is consistently cheaper than at the last minute.
- Add an experienced named driver. A low-risk second driver can reduce the average risk on the policy (never “front” the main driver — that is fraud).
- Increase your voluntary excess to a level you could genuinely afford after a claim.
- Improve security. A tracker, garage parking or a Thatcham-approved alarm can help on higher-value cars.
- Consider telematics or a black box, especially for younger drivers — it can cut group 35 premiums sharply.
- Protect your no-claims discount and pay annually rather than monthly to avoid interest.
Group 35 insurance questions
Sources and review
Sources: Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) — car insurance group ratings; Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index (2026) — average premium and age-band data. Indicative premium figures are estimates prepared by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team and are not quotes.
Reviewed by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team.
Last updated: 2026-07-06
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