Key Changes in 2025
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First-year VED rates for new petrol and diesel vehicles have doubled in most bands from April 2025.
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Standard annual VED rate (from year two onwards) increased to £195 per year for all cars registered after 1 April 2017, including hybrids and electrics.
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The expensive car supplement rises to £425 a year, applied to vehicles with a new list price over £40,000, from the second to sixth year of registration.
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Cars first registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 remain on CO2-based bands, but with updated rates.
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Electric vehicles (EVs), previously exempt, now incur tax charges from 2025.
Which Registrations/Number Plates Are Affected?
The tax you pay depends on first registration year and CO2 emissions (for older cars):
1. Cars Registered on or After 1 April 2017
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Eligible number plates: 17, 67, 18, 68, 19, 69, 20, 70, 21, 71, 22, 72, 23, 73, 24, 74, etc.
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First-year VED based on emissions; second-year onward: £195 standard (£620 including the expensive car supplement where applicable).
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Most common affected number plates.
2. Cars Registered 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017
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Eligible number plates: 51, 02, 52, 03, 53, 04, 54, 05, 55, 06, 56, 07, 57, 08, 58, 09, 59, 10, 60, 11, 61, 12, 62, 13, 63, 14, 64, 15, 65, 16, 66
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Still use CO2-based tax bands, now updated. Cars emitting 156-170g/km CO2 are at £600 per year. See table below for details.
3. Cars Registered Before 1 March 2001
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Older cars use engine size for tax assessment. These are less likely to hit the £600 bill, except for very high-emission models.
2025 VED Bands: Key First-Year Rates (April 2025 Onwards, For New Cars)
| CO2 Emissions (g/km) | First-Year VED (Petrol/Diesel) | Subsequent Years (Standard Rate) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | £10 | £195 |
| 1-50 | £110 | £195 |
| 51-75 | £130 | £195 |
| 76-90 | £270 | £195 |
| 91-100 | £350 | £195 |
| 101-110 | £390 | £195 |
| 111-130 | £440 | £195 |
| 131-150 | £540 | £195 |
| 151-170 | £1,360 | £195 |
| 171-190 | £2,190 | £195 |
| 191-225 | £3,300 | £195 |
| 226-255 | £4,680 | £195 |
| Over 255 | £5,490 | £195 |
CO2-Based Annual Rates (Cars Registered 2001–2017)
| VED Band | CO2 Emissions (g/km) | Annual Rate 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| A | Up to 100 | £20 |
| B | 101-110 | £20 |
| C | 111-120 | £35 |
| D | 121-130 | £165 |
| E | 131-140 | £195 |
| F | 141-150 | £215 |
| G | 151-165 | £265 |
| H | 166-175 | £315 |
| I | 176-185 | £345 |
| J | 186-200 | £395 |
| K | 201-225 | £430 |
| L | 226-255 | £735 |
| M | Over 255 | £760 |
Who Pays £600 or More?
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New petrol/diesel cars emitting 156+ g/km CO2:
First-year tax of £1,360 or more applies. For existing cars, certain 2001-2017 models in band L or M now face high rates (£735–£760). -
Cars with a list price over £40,000 (any fuel, including electric) registered from 1 April 2017 pay an extra £425 a year on top of the standard rate for five years.
How to Check Your Number Plate
To see if your car is hit by new charges:
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If your number plate begins with any of 17, 67, 18, 68... up to 74, or is a high-CO2 car registered between 2001–2017, you are in the affected bracket.
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Owners of older, high-emission cars are also at risk due to new band rates.
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Use any vehicle tax checker online for instant confirmation.
Summary
Almost all owners of petrol and diesel cars registered after March 2001 (number plates 51, 02, 52, 03, ... up through 74) are now impacted by the higher tax rates—either through annual rises or, for new high-emission models, steep first-year bills of £600 and up. The most affected are buyers of new, high-CO2 petrol or diesel cars, and anyone with a “luxury” vehicle over £40,000 list price.
If you bought your car after 1 April 2017 and it’s petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric, you will now be paying at least £195 each year (plus any extras for expensive cars)—and new first-year charges can be upwards of £1,360 for higher-emission models.
This applies to nearly all recent number plates, so check your registration year and emissions to understand your new VED bill.
