Drivers may have to consider seeking debt or loan help if they want to keep their cars on the road, after a survey announced a 2.68 per cent annual rise in motoring costs.

The study from a major retailer, suggests that the average annual cost of motoring, excluding any interest repayments on loans taken out to purchase cars, is now around £2,338, up from an estimated £2,277 in 2008.

The growing amount of money needed to keep a vehicle has been mainly attributed to the cost of car tax increasing by an average of eight per cent since last year, combined with the fact that it is now 13 per cent more expensive to insure a motor.

Ben Tyte, car insurance manager commented: "While certain costs of running a car have fallen during the past year, compared to 2007, the cost of motoring has still increased fairly significantly with road taxes and insurance premiums both on the rise."