New research has found motorists in 2009 will spend over £3,800 a year to run their car, as a result of rising insurance premiums and new car tax bands.

According to a study by uSwitch.com, the average driver can expect to spend around £128.80 each time they fill up their vehicles due to increased fuel costs, amounting to £3,387.29 a year.

This, combined with higher car insurance costs and tax, will mean most motorists will find their vehicle is worth just £385 more than its running costs, the site claims.

Around 15 million cars on the UK's roads are more than five-years-old, with an average value being around £4,277, meaning 91 per cent of its value will be spent on insurance, tax and fuel.

With petrol prices continuing to rise, Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at the site, believes some people may be priced off the road.

"Drivers are also going to need to contend with rising insurance premiums and increased road tax as announced in the Budget. As a direct result of these price hikes, motorists are going to be forced to think carefully about when, where or even if they use their cars," she said.

The price comparison site recently found pay monthly car insurance does not help people save money, with £624 million extra being spent by consumers on it.

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