Is this the same as road tax on a used car?

Not usually. First-year rates apply when the car is new. Used cars generally use ongoing rates for their class.

What counts as an expensive car?

A list-price threshold (commonly discussed around £40,000 when new) can add a multi-year supplement. Confirm the exact threshold and duration on GOV.UK.

Where do I find CO₂?

V5C, manufacturer brochure, or GOV.UK vehicle enquiry when available.

UK tax tool

First-year VED calculator

Estimate first-year (showroom) Vehicle Excise Duty from CO₂ and fuel type, plus a rough year-2+ standard rate. Bands change with Budgets — confirm on GOV.UK before you buy.

CO₂ (g/km)Fuel typeList price when new (£)

Est. first-year VED

£440

Est. year-2+ (illustrative)

£195

Standard ~£195

Show CO₂ band table (indicative)

CO₂ band	Petrol/diesel £	Alt £
0	10	0
1–50	110	0
51–75	130	20
76–90	270	160
91–100	350	240
101–110	390	280
111–130	440	330
131–150	540	430
151–170	1360	1250
171–190	2200	2090
191–225	3310	3200
226–255	4680	4570
Over 255	5490	5380

How first-year VED works

Cars first registered after April 2017 usually pay a CO₂-based first-year rate, then move to a flat standard rate (with extras for expensive list prices and some diesels historically).

Electric and alternative-fuel rates differ from petrol/diesel. Zero-emission rules have been changing — treat EV figures as indicative and check the latest GOV.UK tables.

Used cars already past year one typically pay the standard rate applicable to their tax class, not a fresh first-year band.

Examples

Family petrol hatch ~120 g/km

Lands mid first-year band — often a few hundred pounds — then standard rate thereafter (plus expensive-car supplement if list price was high when new).

Hot hatch / performance car >255 g/km

First-year VED can run into thousands. Factor it into the OTR price, not just the monthly finance.

EV

Often much lower first-year than a gassy petrol — but “free forever” is no longer a safe assumption. Check current rules.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as road tax on a used car?: Not usually. First-year rates apply when the car is new. Used cars generally use ongoing rates for their class.
What counts as an expensive car?: A list-price threshold (commonly discussed around £40,000 when new) can add a multi-year supplement. Confirm the exact threshold and duration on GOV.UK.
Where do I find CO₂?: V5C, manufacturer brochure, or GOV.UK vehicle enquiry when available.

Related tools and guides

Indicative VED planning only. Rates and thresholds change. Confirm on GOV.UK vehicle tax pages before purchase.