UK Car Tax Bands
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) — commonly called road tax — is an annual charge on every vehicle kept or driven on UK roads. The amount you pay depends on the car's CO2 emissions, fuel type and when it was first registered.
Understanding which tax band a car falls into is particularly useful when buying used, because the annual cost can vary from nothing to well over a thousand pounds depending on the vehicle.
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How car tax bands work
The UK's VED system splits into two broad eras, depending on when the car was first registered.
Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017
For these vehicles, the first year of tax (sometimes called the "showroom tax") is based on the car's official CO2 emissions figure. Higher emissions mean a higher first-year charge. From the second year onwards, most petrol and diesel cars move to a flat standard rate — currently £190 per year — regardless of how much CO2 they produce.
Cars registered before 1 April 2017
Older vehicles continue to pay VED based on their CO2 emissions band every year. The bands run from A (0 g/km) through to M (255 g/km and above), with each band carrying a different annual rate. Cars in the lowest bands can cost nothing to tax, while those in the highest bands can cost well over £600 a year.
First-year rate vs standard rate
If you are buying a used car, the first-year rate has already been paid by whoever bought the car new. You will pay the standard rate (or the band rate for pre-2017 cars). This distinction matters because some low-emission cars look cheap to tax based on their first-year rate, but the ongoing cost may be different. You can check the car tax calculator for a quick estimate or look up the vehicle's full specifications by registration.
Current VED rates at a glance
The table below shows the main VED bands for cars registered before 1 April 2017 (where the band applies every year) and the first-year rates for cars registered from April 2017 onwards. Rates shown are for 12 months and are approximate — always check GOV.UK for exact current figures.
| Band | CO2 (g/km) | Pre-2017 annual rate | Post-2017 first year |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 0 | £0 | £0 |
| B | 1–50 | £10 | £10 |
| C | 51–75 | £30 | £30 |
| D | 76–90 | £135 | £135 |
| E | 91–100 | £165 | £165 |
| F | 101–110 | £180 | £180 |
| G | 111–130 | £210 | £210 |
| H | 131–150 | £255 | £255 |
| I | 151–170 | £305 | £305 |
| J | 171–190 | £370 | £370 |
| K | 191–225 | £405 | £405 |
| L | 226–255 | £640 | £640 |
| M | 255+ | £695 | £695 |
Post-April 2017 standard rate: After the first year, most petrol and diesel cars pay a flat £190 per year regardless of CO2 band. Zero-emission vehicles have different rules — see below. Rates shown above are simplified for reference. Check GOV.UK for the exact current figures, as rates change with each Budget.
Electric and hybrid car tax
Zero-emission vehicles have enjoyed favourable tax treatment for years, but the landscape is shifting.
Zero-emission cars registered before April 2025
Fully electric cars first registered before 1 April 2025 were exempt from VED entirely — they sat in Band A and paid nothing. Many of these vehicles will remain in the £0 band for as long as they are on the pre-2017 system, though the rules for post-2017 cars are now changing.
From April 2025 onwards
Newly registered zero-emission cars now pay the lowest first-year rate (£10), then move to the standard rate from year two. Existing zero-emission cars registered between April 2017 and March 2025 also begin paying the standard rate. This brings electric vehicles broadly in line with the rest of the fleet.
Hybrid vehicles
Plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids are taxed according to their CO2 emissions, just like any other petrol or diesel car. Some older "alternative fuel" vehicles qualify for a small annual discount (typically £10 less than the equivalent petrol rate), but this discount is being phased out. If you are looking at an electric or hybrid vehicle, it is worth checking both the current tax band and the likely future cost.
Check a car's tax band and history
Enter the registration to see emissions, fuel type, tax status and a full vehicle history.
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The £40,000 expensive car supplement
If a car had a list price (including options and delivery) of more than £40,000 when new, the keeper pays an additional supplement on top of the standard VED rate. This currently adds £410 per year and applies for five years, starting from the second time the vehicle is taxed.
In practice, this means a post-April 2017 car that cost £45,000 new would pay £190 + £410 = £600 per year for years two through six, before dropping back to the standard £190 from year seven.
The supplement applies to the original list price, not what the current owner paid. Even if the car has depreciated heavily, the supplement still applies while it is within its five-year window.
This is worth bearing in mind when buying a used premium or luxury car. A three-year-old vehicle that originally listed at £42,000 will still attract the supplement for another two years, adding noticeably to the running costs. You can check a car's engine size and spec by registration if you need to confirm the original configuration.
Why tax bands matter when buying used
When you buy a used car, you take on the ongoing VED cost. Tax does not transfer with the vehicle — the previous keeper gets a refund for any full remaining months, and you must tax the car before driving it away. Understanding the annual rate helps you budget properly.
Annual running cost
A car in Band M (255+ g/km) registered before 2017 costs £695 a year to tax. That is nearly £60 a month before you have paid for fuel, insurance or servicing.
First-year rate already paid
The higher first-year "showroom tax" only applies once. As a used buyer, you pay the standard rate or band rate going forward, which is often different from the headline figure.
Supplement surprises
A car that looks like a bargain at £18,000 might still be within its expensive car supplement window, adding £410 a year the seller might not mention.
Beyond tax status
Tax band is just one piece of the puzzle. A full car history check also reveals outstanding finance, theft markers, write-off records and mileage discrepancies.
Before you buy
Tax band is just the start
A Carpeep vehicle history check shows you the tax status, CO2 emissions and fuel type — plus finance, theft, write-offs, mileage and ownership history. One report, one price, no subscription.
Where our data comes from
Every Carpeep report draws from official UK data sources. We do not create, edit or estimate any data — we present the records as they are held.
DVLA
Vehicle registration, keeper history, import/export status and vehicle specifications including CO2 emissions and fuel type.
DVSA
Full MOT test history including results, advisories, mileage readings at each test and expiry dates.
Insurance industry records
Write-off markers (Cat A, B, S and N) recorded by insurers following total loss assessments.
UK finance lenders
Outstanding finance agreements including HP, PCP and conditional sale records.
Police stolen vehicle records
Stolen vehicle markers originating from UK police databases, checked against the registration and VIN.
Vehicle identity checks
VIN and registration cross-referenced to flag plate changes, cloning or identity mismatches.
Check a car before you buy
Enter the registration to see tax band, emissions and a full vehicle history report.
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