Cars & Motoring1 min check

Car Tax (VED) Calculator

Estimate annual Vehicle Excise Duty for cars first registered after April 2017, under post-April 2025 rules (EVs now pay VED).

Short answer

For cars registered from April 2017, 2026/27 VED uses a CO₂-based first-year rate then a £200 standard rate. A £440 expensive-car supplement can apply in years 2–6 above £40,000 list price, or above £50,000 for qualifying zero-emission cars.

Step 1 of 10%

Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used: Fuel type, Original list price (incl. options), Age.
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage: Cars & Motoring. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version: No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.

Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

How it works

We apply the right rate set based on registration date (pre-2001 by engine size; 2001–2017 by CO₂; post-2017 by year and list price), then add the expensive car supplement if applicable.

Worked example

A petrol car listed at £42,000 and in years 2–6 pays the £200 standard rate plus the £440 supplement: £640/year in 2026/27.

Who should use this

•Buyers checking annual tax of a used car
•Owners renewing tax
•EV buyers checking the post-2025 changes

Common mistakes

×Forgetting the £440 supplement in years 2–6
×Using the £40,000 threshold for a qualifying zero-emission car instead of £50,000
×Assuming EVs are still tax-free
×Confusing first-year and standard rates

Frequently asked questions

Do EVs pay car tax now?▾

Yes. New zero-emission cars pay £10 in their first year and £200 at the standard rate in 2026/27. The £440 supplement applies above a £50,000 list price for qualifying zero-emission cars.

How do I tax a car?▾

Online at gov.uk/vehicle-tax with the V5C reference. You can pay annually, 6-monthly or monthly direct debit (5% surcharge).

What's SORN?▾

Statutory Off Road Notification — declare a car off-road to avoid tax/insurance. Must be kept off public roads.

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