Most cars first registered on or after 1 April 2017 pay a standard rate of £195 a year in road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty, or VED) for the 2025/26 tax year. Older cars are charged by CO2 emissions or engine size, so the bill can range from nothing to several hundred pounds. Rates are usually uprated each April, so confirm the current figure for your exact vehicle on GOV.UK before you pay. Motorpeek is an independent site and is not affiliated with the DVLA or the government.
How much road tax will your car cost?
The amount depends mainly on when the car was first registered. Here is the broad picture:
- Registered on or after 1 April 2017: a first-year rate based on CO2 emissions, then the flat standard rate (£195 in 2025/26) every year after.
- Registered 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017: a rate set by CO2 emissions band. Low-emission cars can cost very little, while the highest bands run to several hundred pounds a year.
- Registered before March 2001: a rate based on engine size, with one rate for engines up to 1,549cc and a higher one above that.
- Historic vehicles: cars built more than 40 years ago may qualify for a tax exemption, but they still need to be taxed (at £0) and must meet the rules.
Because the rules differ so much, the quickest way to get a reliable answer is to look up the specific vehicle rather than rely on a general figure.
How to check road tax by registration number
You can use the free GOV.UK vehicle enquiry service to enter a registration number. It shows whether the vehicle is taxed, when the tax expires and whether it has a valid MOT. When you go to tax a car, the DVLA service also shows the exact amount for that vehicle and the options for paying.
For used car buyers, though, the tax status is only part of the story. Before you hand over money, you can enter the registration at motorpeek.com to see the wider vehicle history, including MOT records, mileage patterns, previous keepers and whether there are any insurance write-off, stolen or finance markers.
First-year road tax rates
For cars registered on or after 1 April 2017, the first tax payment is based on CO2 emissions. It is paid once, when the car is first registered, and is usually included by the dealer in the on-the-road price. The first-year rates were increased for many petrol and diesel cars from April 2025, so a new car can cost far more in its first year than the standard rate. Zero-emission cars pay a nominal amount in the first year.
If you are buying a used car, the first-year rate has already been paid by the first owner. You only pay the standard rate (or the rate for the vehicle's band if it was registered before 2017).
The expensive car supplement
Cars with a list price over a set threshold pay an additional yearly supplement for five years, starting from the second time the car is taxed. In 2025/26 that supplement is £425 on top of the standard rate. The threshold is £40,000 for most cars, and electric cars have a higher threshold for newer registrations. Check the vehicle's original list price and registration date if you are looking at a premium or high-spec model, as it can add noticeably to the cost of ownership.
What about electric cars?
Electric cars used to be exempt from road tax. That changed from 1 April 2025. Electric cars registered from 1 April 2017 now generally pay the standard rate, and newer ones pay a nominal first-year rate then the standard rate. The expensive car supplement can also apply. If you are buying an electric car, check its registration date and list price to work out the correct rate.
Road tax when you buy a used car
Road tax does not transfer to the new owner when a vehicle is sold. The previous keeper's tax ends and any remaining months may be refunded to them automatically. As the new keeper, you must tax the vehicle in your own name before you drive it on a public road. Driving without valid tax can lead to an automatic fine, and the DVLA checks vehicles using number plate cameras and its records.
Do not assume a car is taxed just because the seller says it is. Check the status yourself and tax it before you drive away. If you plan to keep it off the road, you must make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), and the car must be kept on private land.
Ways to pay
- Annual payment: usually the cheapest overall.
- Six-month payment: available at a small surcharge.
- Monthly Direct Debit: spreads the cost, but can cost more in total over the year.
Other costs to check before you buy
Road tax is only one running cost. A used car with a cheap tax band can still be expensive if it has a problem history. Look for these before you commit:
- MOT history: repeated advisories or failures for the same issue can signal ongoing problems.
- Mileage: inconsistent readings between MOTs can point to clocking.
- Insurance write-off category: Cat A, B, S or N markers on the MIAFTR database affect value and safety.
- Stolen marker: a Police National Computer (PNC) record can mean the car could be seized.
- Outstanding finance: a car with unpaid finance may be repossessed, even if you bought it in good faith.
No check can guarantee a car is problem-free, so combine the history report with an in-person inspection and a test drive.
Summary
For most newer cars, expect about £195 a year in 2025/26, plus any supplement for expensive models. For older cars, the figure depends on emissions or engine size. Look up the specific registration, confirm the rate on GOV.UK and remember to tax the car in your own name before you drive it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check how much road tax a car costs by its registration number?
Yes. The free GOV.UK vehicle enquiry service shows whether a vehicle is taxed and when the tax is due. The exact amount for a specific vehicle is shown when you go to tax it through the DVLA service.
Does road tax transfer when I buy a used car?
No. Road tax does not transfer between owners, so you must tax the car in your own name before driving it. The previous keeper may get a refund for any full months remaining.
How much is road tax for a car registered before 2017?
It depends on the registration date. Cars registered between March 2001 and March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from very low amounts to several hundred pounds a year. Cars registered before March 2001 are taxed by engine size, so check the exact rate for that vehicle on GOV.UK.