Car insurance group 42: cars and cost (UK 2026)
A group 42 car typically costs a mid-range driver roughly £1,600–£2,500+ a year for comprehensive cover in 2026 — group 42 sits in the most expensive band, home to performance and luxury models.
What car insurance group 42 means
Every car sold in the UK is placed in one of 50 insurance groups, from group 1 (cheapest to insure) to group 50 (most expensive). Group 42 sits firmly in the upper band — among the priciest 20% of cars to cover. Vehicles land here because of a mix of strong performance, higher repair and parts costs, longer repair times and, often, a high replacement value.
The groups are set by the Group Rating Panel, administered by Thatcham Research on behalf of the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Cars registered from August 2024 also carry a newer 1–99 Vehicle Risk Rating, but the familiar 1–50 group system is still what most quote engines and buyers use day to day.
A word of perspective: the group is only one ingredient in your price. The overall UK average premium is around £600 a year, but a group 42 car will cost well above that — and your age, postcode, mileage and claims history can move the figure far more than the group number alone.
Indicative group 42 premiums by driver age
The figures below are indicative estimates for a group 42 car on a comprehensive policy in 2026. They are illustrative only: your own quote depends heavily on location, no-claims bonus, annual mileage and the specific model. Treat them as a rough guide to how much age moves the price.
| Driver age band | Indicative annual premium (group 42) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 17–24 | £3,200–£4,500+ | Highest risk band; a powerful group 42 car is very expensive for new drivers |
| 25–34 | £2,000–£2,800 | Falls sharply once some no-claims history is built |
| 35–64 | £1,500–£2,200 | Typical mid-range driver; broadly the £1,600–£2,500 headline range |
| 65+ | £1,700–£2,600 | Can edge up again slightly at older ages |
Sources: indicative estimates by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team, informed by Confused.com Price Index 2026 average-premium and by-age data, ABI premium tracking, and published group 42 sample costs (e.g. Finder UK's ~£2,161/year group 42 average). Figures are illustrative, not quotes.
Cars often rated around group 42
Insurance groups vary by exact trim, engine and model year, so a single badge can span several groups. The cars below are examples that are often rated around group 42 (typically groups 40–44 depending on variant) — always check your specific registration before you rely on a group.
- Audi A5 Sportback / higher-spec A4 and Q5 — premium petrol and diesel variants frequently sit in the low-to-mid 40s.
- BMW X4 and higher-trim 4 Series — performance-oriented coupes and SUVs commonly land around group 42.
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon — larger-engine executive variants are regularly rated in this band.
- Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman — entry Porsche sports models are often rated around the low 40s.
- Jaguar XF and F-Pace — higher-powered petrol/diesel versions can fall in or near group 42.
- Land Rover Defender / Discovery — some powerful, high-value variants sit around this group on repair cost and value.
These are illustrative examples, not a guarantee that a given trim is exactly group 42. Use a free group checker (Thatcham, Parkers or Confused.com) with your exact model and year.
How to pay less in a high group like 42
- Increase your voluntary excess — sensibly, only as much as you could afford to pay after a claim.
- Build and protect your no-claims bonus — the single biggest lever most drivers control.
- Add an experienced named driver — never fake the main driver (“fronting” is fraud), but a genuine low-risk second driver can help.
- Fit or declare an approved Thatcham alarm/tracker — security matters for high-value cars.
- Reduce annual mileage and pay yearly — lower stated mileage and avoiding monthly interest both cut cost.
- Shop around 20–26 days before renewal and compare on a whole-of-market panel rather than auto-renewing.
- Consider a lower-group alternative — a similar car two or three groups down can be materially cheaper.
See the UK car insurance cost index for current average premiums, or browse cover by model on our cars by vehicle pages.
Group 42 car insurance: common questions
Yes. Group 42 is in the top band of the 1–50 scale, so it is among the more expensive cars to insure. A mid-range driver typically pays roughly £1,600–£2,500+ a year for comprehensive cover on a group 42 car, well above the ~£600 UK average. Younger drivers can pay far more.
The group sets the baseline, but your quote depends far more on your age, postcode, annual mileage, no-claims bonus, claims and convictions history, where the car is kept overnight, and any security devices fitted. Two drivers in the same group 42 car can be quoted very different prices.
Use a free group checker from Thatcham Research, Parkers or Confused.com and enter your registration or exact make, model, trim and year. Because groups vary by variant, always check your specific car rather than assuming a badge is a single group.
Yes. Choosing a lower-powered trim of the same model, or a similar car a few groups lower, can noticeably cut premiums. Compare group 41 and group 43, or browse the full range of insurance groups to see how the band changes cost.
No. The group is one input that insurers weigh, but it is not the price. Personal factors — especially age, location and claims history — often move the premium more than the group number itself. That is why a group 42 car can be affordable for one driver and very costly for another.
The Group Rating Panel, run by Thatcham Research for the ABI, assigns each car a group from 1 to 50. It scores factors including repair and parts cost, repair time, performance, new and used value, and security. Insurers then use the group as one factor alongside your own details.
Sources and review
- Thatcham Research — Group Rating Panel and insurance group methodology.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI) — group rating and premium data.
- Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index 2026 — average premiums and by-age costs.
- Finder UK and Parkers — published group 42 sample cars and cost estimates.
Reviewed by the Car Insurance Expert editorial team.
Last updated: 2026-07-06
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