Motorists now pay an average of 19% more to keep their cars on the road than in 2007, according to an RAC cost index out today.
Motorists now pay an average of 19% more to keep their cars on the road than in 2007, according to an RAC cost index out today.
Annual running costs for an average family car in the UK have risen to £2435, a year-on-year increase of £277.
The average cost at present is the equivalent of £47 a week, or 20.3p a mile. It is made up of the cost of fuel and maintenance.
The RAC Cost of Motoring Index aims to let motorists know the true cost of owning and running a car.
Taking everything into account, including cost of finance packages, depreciation and insurance, the average annual cost has gone up from £5627 last year to £6133 this year, with the average weekly cost rising from £108.20 to £117.94.
Scottish motorists living in rural communities are thought to be suffering most due to rises in the price of fuel.
Fuel costs now represent an ever-increasing burden in the Western and Northern Isles, not least for businesses and fishermen, some of whom reported increases of up to 80% in diesel costs in the past two years.
In May, the Scottish Parliament noted the price of diesel was over £1.30 in the Western Isles and across Scotland's island and remote communities, making it probably the most expensive diesel in the Western world.
The RAC said running costs meant 36% of drivers were considering buying a car that was cheaper to run than their present model, but 68% said they would not stop relying on their car until better public transport was made available.
However, the report also revealed that the cost of public transport has risen by double the increase in the cost of motoring.
The RAC also revealed that 25% of motorists now share their car more with friends and family in a bid to cut costs, with 22% thinking of switching to a smaller car or bike.
RAC motoring strategist Adrian Tink said: "Our index is designed to help cash-strapped motorists by highlighting hidden cost, including depreciation.
"With the credit crunch hitting motorists hard in their pocket, we encourage UK drivers now more than ever to take all potential financial implications of car running costs into account to better manage their budgets."
In an effort to avoid losing money through depreciation, 16% are considering buying a second-hand car rather than a new car and 18% are considering changing their car for one in a lower insurance category.
Mr Tink said: "With the majority of UK motorists also admitting that reliance on their cars would only change if we had more effective and cheaper public transport, the RAC is urging the government to ensure money from motoring taxes is directly invested into improving the current public transport system."
The RAC report said the government's annual tax take from Britain's motorist - through fuel duty, VAT, new car tax and the road fund licence - totals £45bn.
Last month, uSwitch.com revealed that the cost of motoring had outstripped the rate of inflation by 34% in the past 10 years. The price comparison site said that by 2017 motorists could be paying as much as £3659 a year to keep their cars running.
