HIGH running costs are causing as many as 13 per cent of UK motorists to continue driving their parents' car in their late 20s, it was revealed.

And 21 per cent of youngsters aged 18 to 24 are using their mother's or father's vehicles because they cannot afford their own car, a survey from insurance company Direct Line found.

A quarter of young drivers have no idea how much it costs to fill their parents' car with petrol, with 12 per cent never putting fuel in themselves.

For those aged 18 to 24, the expense of running a car tops the league table of reasons for not buying their own set of wheels.

Other main reasons include the convenience of driving their parents' car while still living at home, and the safety implications of driving an "old banger" versus the safer option of driving their parents' newer vehicle.

Direct Line found 8 per cent of youngsters aged 25 to 29 drove their mother's car and 5 per cent their father's, while 13 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 drove their mother's car and 9 per cent their father's. The company said that, on average, young motorists face costs of £250 a month to keep a vehicle on the road during their first year of driving.

Emma Holyer, Direct Line's spokeswoman, said: "Young drivers are the most likely to have an accident and subsequently are the hardest hit with high car insurance premiums. However, a lot of young motorists have been driving their parents' cars for years but aren't able to reap the benefit of that experience."