Britain’s oldest motorists face new Automobile Excise Obligation (VED) automobile tax charges as value rises come into impact.

New automobile tax guidelines got here into impact in the beginning of this month. (Picture: Getty)
Older drivers are amongst these affected by automobile tax adjustments that got here into impact in the beginning of this month. From April 1, almost all petrol, diesel and electrical automobile house owners face larger payments as new Automobile Excise Obligation (VED) charges kick in.
There are not any age-based exemptions for drivers, with aged highway customers topic to the identical charges each different motorist within the UK is. Nevertheless, some varieties of autos, together with these utilized by disabled motorists, proceed to be exempt from automobile tax costs. It means motorists with a incapacity needn’t pay to make use of the highway however wholesome pensioners nonetheless face charges. Homeowners of name new petrol and diesel autos are among the many most affected, with first-year VED for vehicles registered after April 2017 rising from £5,490 to £5,690 for probably the most polluting autos – a £200-increase.
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The tax on much less polluting autos is way decrease, ranging from £115 for CO2 emissions between 1 to 50g/km.
Older autos registered earlier than March 1, 2001 have been hit with a smaller tax rise, with bigger vehicles above 1549cc seeing charges improve from £360 per 12 months to £375 per 12 months (a further £15).
In the meantime, smaller vehicles on this age vary with engines under 1549cc, have seen charges leap by £10 from £220 to £230 each year.
Customary VED charges for vehicles registered after 2017 have additionally risen barely from £195 to £200 each year.
Nevertheless, the “Historic Automobiles” coverage stays in place, with basic vehicles registered greater than 40 years in the past nonetheless exempt from annual VED charges.
Homeowners of older electrical autos (EVs) with an inventory value of underneath £50,000 are among the many least affected by the brand new 2026 tax costs. EVs registered earlier than 2017 now pay £20 per 12 months to make use of the roads.
In the meantime, first-year VED prices will keep at £10 for zero-emission autos earlier than they transfer into the £200 each year commonplace charges.
Nevertheless, April marked a significant change to the Costly Automobile Complement (ECS) that would hit EV and 0 emissions vehicles.
Any autos registered after April 2017 with an inventory value of £40,000 had beforehand been topic to a £425 further tax on prime of the usual price from the second 12 months of auto tax.
It is now elevated to £440 (£640 together with the usual price), although the edge for EV or zero emissions autos has been upped to £50,000 for autos registered after April 2025 to account for his or her larger value level. The extra price applies for five years.
VED costs are an annual inflationary improve, which means prices will are likely to rise each 12 months.
HM Income and Customs (HMRC) confirmed the rise in VED charges late final 12 months quickly after the Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed her Autumn Price range.
The UK tax authority mentioned: “As introduced at Price range 2025, the federal government will introduce laws in Finance Invoice 2025-26 to uprate Automobile Excise Obligation charges for vehicles, vans and bikes in keeping with the Retail Value Index (RPI) for 2026 to 2027.
“It will take impact from 1 April 2026.”
You could find a full breakdown of the prices on the UK Authorities web site.
















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