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Rates from 1 April 2026

Car tax check

Most cars registered from April 2017 pay £200 a year in car tax, plus £440 a year in years 2 to 6 if they cost over £40,000. Older cars pay by CO2 band, from £20 to £790.

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Enter any UK registration

No sign-up. No card. MOT records back to 2005.

Which rules apply

Car tax depends on when the car was first registered

Work out any car's tax, including the first-year rate on a new car, with the car tax calculator.

Car tax by registration date (12 months, from 1 April 2026)
First registeredHow it's taxedYearly cost
From 1 April 2017Flat standard rate£200, plus £440 in years 2–6 if list price over £40,000
1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017CO2 band A to M£20 (band A) to £790 (band M)
Before 1 March 2001Engine size£230 (up to 1,549cc) or £375
40+ years oldHistoric tax classFree

Electric cars

Do electric cars pay car tax?

Yes, since April 2025. Electric cars now pay the £200 standard rate. EVs registered from April 2025 with a list price over £50,000 also pay the £440 supplement in years 2 to 6.

Questions

Car tax check questions

How much is my car tax?

It depends on its age. Most cars from April 2017 pay £200 a year; 2001 to 2017 cars pay by CO2 band. Enter your reg for an estimate.

Does car tax transfer when I buy a car?

No. Tax doesn't pass to a new keeper: you must tax the car before you drive it away.

Is paying monthly more expensive?

Yes: 12 monthly Direct Debits cost 5% more than paying for the year in one go.

Check a car now. It's free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.