How Much Is My Car Tax?

Car tax is payable on the majority of road going vehicles in the UK.  When answering the question ‘how much is my road tax’, it can depend on three main factors: the age of the car, its CO2 emissions and whether you want tax for 6 or 12 months.

Cars registered before 1 March 2001

If your car was first registered before 1 March 2001, there are only two bands of car tax.

If the engine size is under 1549cc, you’ll pay £130 for 12 months tax and £71.50 for 6 months tax.  If the engine size is over 1549cc, you’ll pay £215 for 12 months tax and £118.25 for 6 months.

Cars registered after 1 March 2001

For cars registered after 1 March 2001, there are thirteen separate bands depending on the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of your car (measured in g/km).

Cars with up to 100 g/km CO2 emissions pay no car tax at all.

The cost of road tax then rises as the emissions rise, from 101 g/km to over 255 g/km.  You can find out the CO2 emissions of your car by checking the registration certificate or enquiring on the DVLA’s Electronic Vehicle Licensing website.

The information below shows the costs of car tax depending on your band and whether you want 6 or 12 months tax.

• Band A (up to 100 g/km) – No car tax payable
• Band B (101 to 110 g/km) – £20 car tax per year (no 6 month option)
• Band C (111 to 120 g/km) – £30 car tax per year (no 6 month option)
• Band D (121 to 130 g/km) – £95 car tax per year or £52.25 for 6 months
• Band E (131 to 140 g/km) – £115 car tax per year or £63.25 for 6 months
• Band F (141 to 150 g/km) – £130 car tax per year or £71.50 for 6 months
• Band G (151 to 165 g/km) – £165 car tax per year or £90.75 for 6 months
• Band H (166 to 175 g/km) – £190 car tax per year or £104.50 for 6 months
• Band I (176 to 185 g/km) – £210 car tax per year or £115.50 for 6 months
• Band J (186 to 200 g/km) – £245 car tax per year or £134.75 for 6 months
• Band K (201 to 225 g/km) – £260 car tax per year or £143 for 6 months
• Band L (226 to 255 g/km) – £445 car tax per year or £244.75 for 6 months
• Band M (over 255 g/km) – £460 car tax per year or £253 for 6 months

Cars first registered after 1 April 2010

Brand new cars registered after 1 April 2010 with CO2 emissions of over 130 g/km attract a different rate of car tax in the first year.  For example, the tax on a brand new car with CO2 emissions of 170 g/km would be £265 in the first year, compared to £190 if the car was several years old.