VED & Road Tax · 2026 Rates
Road Tax Cost Guide UK
VED rates, tax bands, the expensive car supplement, SORN rules, and what every new car buyer needs to know — including why road tax never transfers from the seller.
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UK Road Tax in 2026
UK road tax in 2026: cars registered after April 2017 pay a flat rate of £190/yr (petrol), £220/yr (diesel), or £190/yr (electric). Cars over £40,000 list price pay an additional £620/year for years 2–6. Road tax does not transfer when a car is sold — the new owner must tax the vehicle before driving. SORN is available for vehicles kept off public roads.
UK Road Tax Rates 2026 by Registration Date
| Registration period | Fuel type | Annual rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| After April 2017 (first year) | Any petrol/diesel | Based on CO2 (see DVLA) | First-year rates vary by emissions |
| After April 2017 (year 2+) | Petrol | £190 | Standard flat rate |
| After April 2017 (year 2+) | Diesel | £220 | Surcharge for non-RDE2 compliance |
| After April 2017 (year 2+) | Electric | £190 | EVs taxable from April 2025 |
| April 2017 (over £40k list) | Any | +£620/yr | Expensive car supplement, years 2–6 |
| Apr 2001–Mar 2017 (lowest band) | Under 100g CO2/km | £0 | Tax-free for low-emission older cars |
| Apr 2001–Mar 2017 (highest band) | Over 255g CO2/km | £2,365 | High-emission cars (large petrol, diesel) |
| Before March 2001 | Under 1549cc | £200 | Based on engine size, not CO2 |
| Before March 2001 | Over 1549cc | £330 | Based on engine size, not CO2 |
Rates correct as of April 2025. Always verify current rates at gov.uk before buying.
The Expensive Car Supplement: What Buyers Need to Know
Any car with a manufacturer's list price over £40,000 when new attracts an additional £620/year road tax for years 2 through 6 of registration. This catches many buyers off guard, particularly when buying second-hand cars that were originally expensive when new.
Common used cars that attract the supplement
BMW 3 Series M Sport (from ~£43k new), Mercedes C-Class AMG Line (from ~£42k new), Audi A4 S Line (from ~£40.5k new), Tesla Model 3 Long Range (from ~£46k new), Range Rover Evoque (from ~£41k new). A 2022 BMW 3 Series still in years 2–6 of registration will cost £190 + £620 = £810/year in road tax.
Always check the car's original list price (not current market value) before buying
The supplement applies even if you bought the car second-hand for £20,000
It applies to electric vehicles from April 2025 onwards
After year 6 from registration, the supplement stops — only the standard rate applies
SORN: When and How to Use It
Use SORN if your car is off the road for repairs, storage, or as a project vehicle
SORN is free and can be applied at gov.uk instantly
A SORNed vehicle must not be driven or parked on a public road
SORNed vehicles can be kept on private land or in a garage without tax or MOT
You receive a pro-rata refund on any remaining tax months when you SORN
SORN is cancelled as soon as the vehicle is taxed again — no reapplication needed
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is road tax in the UK in 2026?
Road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty, VED) in 2026 varies by registration date and fuel type. Cars registered after April 2017: petrol £190/yr, diesel £220/yr, zero-emission (EV) £190/yr (from April 2025 — EVs are no longer tax-free). Cars registered April 2001–March 2017 pay by CO2 band: £0 for under 100g/km to £2,365/year for over 255g/km. Cars registered before March 2001 pay by engine size.
What is the expensive car supplement?
Cars with an original list price over £40,000 pay an additional £620 per year in road tax for years 2–6 of registration. This applies regardless of fuel type — including electric vehicles from April 2025. The supplement applies to the vehicle's list price when new, not the current market value. If you buy a second-hand car that was originally listed at £41,000, you inherit the supplement for the remaining years.
Does road tax transfer to the new owner when a car is sold?
No. VED is non-transferable. When a car changes ownership, the DVLA automatically cancels the seller's tax and issues a refund for any remaining complete months. The buyer must tax the vehicle before driving it on public roads. There is no legal grace period — driving an untaxed vehicle risks a £80 fixed penalty or a £1,000 court fine.
What is SORN and when should I use it?
A Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) is a declaration that your vehicle will not be driven or parked on a public road. A SORNed vehicle does not require road tax or MOT. SORN is appropriate for laid-up, project, or non-running vehicles. It is free to apply via gov.uk. Any SORN is cancelled immediately when the vehicle is taxed again.
Can I pay road tax monthly?
Yes — road tax can be paid annually, 6-monthly, or monthly by direct debit. Monthly payment carries a 5% surcharge over the annual rate. Six-monthly payment carries no surcharge. The DVLA processes direct debits automatically on renewal. If a payment fails, the vehicle becomes untaxed immediately.
How do I check if a car is taxed before buying?
Use the free DVLA vehicle tax check at vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk or via MotR's free tax status checker. This shows whether the vehicle is currently taxed, on SORN, or untaxed. Remember: even if taxed, the tax does not transfer to you — you must re-tax the vehicle in your name before driving.
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OpenVED rates are correct as of April 2025 and subject to annual government review; always verify current rates at gov.uk before buying. MotR is not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Last reviewed 12 June 2026.
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