According to car finance news today, the cost of running a car has climbed 9 per cent in the last five months. The figure hasn’t been helped by an increase in petrol and insurance prices, according to Sainsburys Finance .

The rise is much steeper than previous yearly increases, with a cost of £438 per annum to run a car, up 20 per cent on previous years. Car insurance has climbed 11 per cent whilst fuel has soared by 10 per cent.

Sainsburys car insurance spokesman, Ben Tyte, reportedly commented: The cost of motoring has soared in recent months as all costs, but particularly fuel prices and insurance premiums, continue to rise. The cost of driving can be kept better in check by shopping around, particularly for car insurance and servicing .