ONLY four per cent of drivers in Oldham are likely to insure cars in the higher insurance brackets, according to new research by price comparison site MoneySuperMarket.

Insurers classify cars into insurance groups, which range from one generally being the cheapest to 50 being the most expensive.

The most popular cars in groups (41-50) include the BMW X5, Tesla Model-3, Jaguar XF and BMW 530.

Key findings in Oldham include the highest proportion (35 per cent) of enquirers from Oldham insured cars in group 11-20, compared to just four per cent in the highest insurance group (41-50)

And the average cost for insurance premiums for vehicles in insurance group 11-20 is £649.60

Cars in the highest insurance groups cost £249 more on average to insure than cars in the lower insurance groups.

The most common cars by insurance groups are: 1-10: Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Yaris, Renault Clio; 11-20: Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra, Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, Audi A3; 21-30: Audi A4, BMW 320, Mini Cooper; 31-40: Landrover Range, BMW 520, Mercedes-Benz C, BMW 320 and 41-50: BMW X5, Tesla Model-3, Jaguar XF, BMW 530.

Drivers can check which group their car is in be clicking here 

Drivers in the City of London, London’s West End and West Central London are most likely to insure vehicles in the highest groups

Drivers with cars in the highest insurance groups are paying 38 per cent (£248.79) more than those with cars in the lowest insurance groups.

Every car belongs to one of 50 car insurance groups, with higher groups usually paying higher premiums. Makes and models in the higher insurance group tend to be newer, more expensive and more powerful.

Research shows that cars in the highest bracket (41-50) cost drivers £906.08 annually to insure on average. In comparison, cars in the lowest band groups (1-10) cost £657.29 on average.

Looking across the UK, drivers in the City of London, London’s West End and West Central London have the largest proportion of enquiries for car in the highest groups. The most popular cars in these groups include the Land Rover Range, BMW X5, Tesla Model-3, Jaguar XF and BMW 530.

Kate Devine, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “It’s interesting to see the divide across the UK when enquiring about cars in different insurance groups. People in the City of London, London’s West End and West Central London are the most likely to enquire about cars in the highest groups. Our research has shown that people in certain areas of Scotland and Wales are the most likely to enquire about cars in the lowest insurance groups.

“Car insurance premiums are typically incrementally more expensive depending on the group the vehicle falls into. In order to save money on car insurance premiums, it’s key to understand how car insurance groups work, how cars are ranked and therefore how much your car of choice is going to cost to insure.”

“However, multiple other factors are taken into consideration by insurers when allocating costs for insurance, not just the insurance group. Age, driving history, occupation and the use of the car all contribute to the cost of insurance.”

Use MoneySuperMarket’s new group checker to find out the insurance group for your current car using your registration, or by entering a make and model if you are considering which car to buy.