The study, conducted by Sainsbury's Bank, claims that the annual cost of motoring currently stands at £2,259, up from £2,205 last year and £2,053 in 2005.

Car tax has seen the greatest price rise during the past year, said the bank, with a 17.8 per cent increase over 2006 levels.

The study also highlighted the car buying process as an area in which motorists lose money.

Of the drivers questioned, 12 per cent planning to buy a car did not intend to haggle over the price and only 38 per cent planned to “haggle slightly”.

Joanne Mallon, Sainsbury's car insurance manager, said: “The cost of motoring can be high but it is possible to keep it in check by shopping around.”