Road tax becomes rather complicated in 2017 when you buy a new car. We may no longer need a tax disc, but there is with most cars there is still something to pay. We think the Free Car Mag graphic explains what the situation is. Firstly find out when your car was first registered, what the g/km emissions are and the size and type of engine you have. This information will be on your V5 registration and your V11 renewal document.

Historic vehicles

There is a rolling 40 year exemption from road tax for older cars provided they are registered before 1st January.

Cars registered before March 2001

If the engine size is below 1549cc the cost is £145. Engines sizes above are £230.

Cars registered after March 2001

The tax rates are based are split into tax bands based on the carbon dioxide emissions, how many grams are emitted from exhaust every kilometre.

Car Tax Table for cars registered after 2001

Tax Band CO2 Emissions Annual rate First year rate
A Up to 100 g/km £0 £0
B 101-110 g/km £20 £0
C 111-120 g/km £30 £0
D 121-130 g/km £110 £0
E 131-140 g/km £130 £130
F 141-150 g/km £145 £145
G 151-165 g/km £185 £185
H 166-175 g/km £210 £300
I 176-185 g/km £230 £355
J 186-200 g/km £270 £500
K 201-225 g/km £295 £650
L 226-255 g/km £500 £885
M Over 255 g/km £515 £1,120

Cars registered from 1st April 2017

Flat rate of £140 unless they are hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles then u=it is £130.

All zero-emission cars are Free.

Cars with a list price of £40,000+ cost £310 extra for the first five years.

Car Tax Table from March 2017 onwards

CO2 Emissions Annual rate First year rate
0g/km £0 £0
1-50 g/km £140 £10
51-75 g/km £140 £25
76-90 g/km £140 £100
91-100 g/km £140 £120
101-110 g/km £140 £140
111-130 g/km £140 £160
131-150 g/km £140 £200
151-170 g/km £140 £500
171-190 g/km £140 £800
191-225 g/km £140 £1200
255+ g/km £140 £2000