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If you're getting a car insurance quote, you'll be asked how many miles you drive each year. But what's normal? Understanding average mileage can help you give a more accurate answer – and potentially save money on your insurance.
Understanding average car mileage in the UK is important when you're getting car insurance quotes. Your annual mileage directly affects your premium, so knowing where you stand compared to the national average helps you provide accurate estimates and potentially save money.
In 2024, the average car in the UK travelled 7,100 miles per year. That's quite a drop from 20 years ago when cars covered around 9,100 miles annually. British drivers are using their cars less, mainly because we're doing far less business travel than before.
According to the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey, business mileage has fallen dramatically over the past two decades – dropping 64% from an average of 1,100 miles per year down to just 400. Commuting patterns have shifted too. Before the pandemic, the average car covered around 2,700 miles per year on commuting alone. That figure now sits between 2,200 and 2,300 miles as remote and hybrid working has become more commonplace.
Diesel drivers cover about 8,300 miles per year on average, while petrol car owners drive just 6,200 miles. Electric and hybrid vehicles sit somewhere in the middle, with battery electric cars averaging around 10,000 miles annually for newer models.
Analysis by the RAC Foundation shows that newer electric cars are now covering almost as many miles as diesels. In 2024, pure battery-electric cars under three years old averaged 10,054 miles – just 6% less than equivalent diesel cars at 10,728 miles. This suggests that electric vehicles are increasingly being used as primary "workhorse" cars rather than just for short trips around town.
When insurers work out your quote, they use your annual mileage as one of the key factors. The logic is simple: the more time you spend on the road, the higher your chances of having an accident.
However, it's not always straightforward. Some research shows that very low-mileage drivers (those covering 5,000-6,000 miles) can end up paying more than drivers doing 11,000-12,000 miles per year. This happens because insurers sometimes see very low mileage as a sign of inexperience.
According to Aviva, insurers typically use mileage "bands" when calculating premiums. These bands tend to be tighter at lower mileages – so the difference between 3,000 and 5,000 miles might matter more than the difference between 15,000 and 20,000 miles. Each insurer has their own approach, which is why comparing quotes is so important.
It's really important to give an accurate mileage estimate. If you underestimate by a lot, your insurance could be cancelled or a claim refused. If you overestimate, you'll likely pay more than you need to.
Not sure how many miles you do? Here are some reliable ways to work it out:
Check your MOT certificate: It shows your mileage from last year, giving you a solid baseline to work from.
Track a typical week: Monitor your driving for a representative week and multiply by 52 to get a yearly figure.
Factor in occasional trips: Don't forget longer journeys like visiting family, holidays within the UK, or one-off trips. Many drivers underestimate their mileage because they focus only on daily commutes and forget about weekend trips and annual holidays.
Add a buffer: A good approach is to add 1,000-2,000 miles to your calculated figure to account for these extras and unexpected journeys.
If you underestimate your mileage significantly, your insurance could be cancelled or a claim refused. Always err on the side of caution and provide realistic figures based on your actual driving patterns.
Different insurers treat mileage differently when setting prices. Even small differences in how they calculate your premium could save you money.
Whether you're a low-mileage driver or rack up the miles for work, getting the right cover at the right price starts with an accurate mileage estimate and smart shopping around. It takes just minutes to compare quotes from leading UK insurers and you might be surprised at the savings available.
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