Insurance groups 31 to 35 explained
High groups on the UK's 1 to 50 scale, where 1 is the cheapest to insure. They hold larger executive cars and hot hatches, and each group is explained below.
What each group from 31 to 35 means
The number is the group, and the letter after it records how the car's security affected the rating. E means it beat the requirement and dropped one group. D means it fell short and went up one. A means it met the requirement, and P marks a group that is still provisional.
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Insurance group 31
Group 31 sits about 61% of the way up the scale, with 30 groups cheaper and 19 dearer. A 31E car scored as group 32 and was cut to 31 for above-standard security. A 31D car scored as group 30 and was raised to 31 because its security falls short. A 31A car's security met the requirement, so its group was not adjusted, and 31P means the group is provisional, set before full rating data was available at launch.
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Insurance group 32
Group 32 sits about 63% of the way up the scale, with 31 groups cheaper and 18 dearer. A 32E car scored as group 33 and was cut to 32 for above-standard security. A 32D car scored as group 31 and was raised to 32 because its security falls short. A 32A car's security met the requirement, so its group was not adjusted, and 32P means the group is provisional, set before full rating data was available at launch.
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Insurance group 33
Group 33 sits about 65% of the way up the scale, with 32 groups cheaper and 17 dearer. A 33E car scored as group 34 and was cut to 33 for above-standard security. A 33D car scored as group 32 and was raised to 33 because its security falls short. A 33A car's security met the requirement, so its group was not adjusted, and 33P means the group is provisional, set before full rating data was available at launch.
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Insurance group 34
Group 34 sits about 67% of the way up the scale, with 33 groups cheaper and 16 dearer. A 34E car scored as group 35 and was cut to 34 for above-standard security. A 34D car scored as group 33 and was raised to 34 because its security falls short. A 34A car's security met the requirement, so its group was not adjusted, and 34P means the group is provisional, set before full rating data was available at launch.
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Insurance group 35
Group 35 sits about 69% of the way up the scale, with 34 groups cheaper and 15 dearer. A 35E car scored as group 36 and was cut to 35 for above-standard security. A 35D car scored as group 34 and was raised to 35 because its security falls short. A 35A car's security met the requirement, so its group was not adjusted, and 35P means the group is provisional, set before full rating data was available at launch.
Groups are set by the Group Rating Panel of insurers, with Thatcham Research assessing each car, and the rating is advisory, so insurers can depart from it. In Thatcham's own example, a group 9 car with better-than-required security is listed as 8E, and one whose security falls short is listed as 10D. The full scale lists every letter, and our guide to how insurance groups work covers the system end to end.
Cars rated in groups 31 to 35
Which cars are in insurance groups 31 to 35?
- Audi A6
- BMW 5 Series
- Mercedes E-Class
- Ford Focus ST
Groups 31 to 35 cover big saloons, quick estates and hot hatches. Performance becomes a major factor in the rating, not just repair cost. Each engine, trim and security combination is rated on its own, so one model can span many groups.
For a new driver
Are groups 31 to 35 good for a new driver?
Groups 31 to 35 are rarely a good fit for a new driver. Insurers may quote a new driver a very high premium for a car this high up the scale, or decline.
Our reading of the scale, not an insurer's rule. MoneySuperMarket's band medians cover drivers of every age, and new drivers usually pay well above them.
Finding a car's group
How can I find a specific car's insurance group?
Many insurance quotes state the group, and most manufacturers' UK price lists show it for new cars. Comparison sites and motoring publishers list groups by model and trim, and some look them up by registration using licensed industry data. It is not on the V5C logbook or the DVLA record, so our report does not show it.
Buying a car in groups 31 to 35?
Check its history before you pay
Our report confirms the exact engine, fuel and model the rating hangs on, and every MOT and mileage reading, from £5.
Insurance groups 31 to 35: common questions
Are insurance groups 31 to 35 high or low?
Groups 31 to 35 are high on the 1 to 50 scale, where 1 is the cheapest to insure. They broadly cover larger executive cars and hot hatches.
How much is insurance for groups 31 to 35 per month?
About £55 a month for groups 31 to 35, based on the £660 median annual price of policies sold for groups 31 to 40 through MoneySuperMarket in July 2026. MoneySuperMarket publishes ten-group bands, so there is no separate figure for each group, and your age, postcode and claims record move the price far more than the group does.
Which cars are in insurance groups 31 to 35?
Versions of the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Ford Focus ST are typical of groups 31 to 35. Each engine, trim and security combination is rated on its own, so one model can span several groups.
Is the 1 to 50 insurance group system being replaced?
Yes, for brand-new models. Thatcham Research's Vehicle Risk Rating, launched in September 2024, scores new model ranges from 1 to 99 in five areas, while cars already rated keep their 1 to 50 insurance group.
Figures last checked against the official source on . Check the source yourself.