Driving a car and all of the associated costs certainly don’t come cheap in the UK. Not only does car insurance, car finance, road tax, service and MOT costs and the cost of fuel take money out of your pocket, the cost of motoring is getting more expensive. However, there are ways in which to cut your outgoings.

The information was highlighted by the Cost of Motoring Index created by the RAC . They believe that the average car now costs approximately £5,540 per annum to run, and increase of over £500 on a year ago. This represents a 9 per cent increase, way in excess of inflation.

British motorists already have their budgets stretched via council tax, increasing domestic bill repayments, higher mortgage rates, and now higher interest rates . The following could help save you money on the cost of motoring.

- Learn why cars depreciate in value, and which vehicles hold their value.

- Do you need a new car? Could you buy nearly new?

- Get a bargain. If you shop around, negotiate and compare prices online you could net yourself a deal, whether shopping for finance or insurance .

- Do you need a car at all?

- Watch out for forecourt finance, shop for car finance .

- Watch our for PPI ( payment protection insurance ), extended warranties, Gap insurance and overpriced breakdown cover .