UK car tax in 2026: what changed and what to check

The headline change: EVs pay VED

From April 2025, electric cars no longer get free road tax. A new EV registered after that date pays the standard first-year rate (£10) then the standard annual rate (£195) — same as a small petrol. EVs over £40,000 at first registration pay the expensive-car supplement on top, same as any other car.

How much it actually costs your car

Three things decide the annual tax: first-year registration date, the car's CO2 figure, and whether it cost over £40,000 new.

• Registered before April 2017: tax is by CO2 banding. A 120g/km petrol is around £175/year; a 150g/km diesel is £315/year.
• Registered April 2017 to March 2025: most cars pay the standard £195/year after the first year, regardless of CO2.
• Registered April 2025 onward: £195/year standard rate. Cars over £40,000 new pay an extra £425/year (the 'expensive car supplement') for five years.

What a WheelsAI tax check shows

You get the current tax status (taxed / SORN / untaxed), the expiry date, and the exact annual cost for that VRM. If a listing says 'tax until August' but the DVLA database says SORN, someone isn't telling the truth.

The number most buyers miss

Used cars registered 2017–2020 in the £10,000–£20,000 band often come with the expensive-car supplement still applying for their first five years — £425/year on top. A 2020 £42,000 Discovery Sport bought used in 2026 is still inside the five-year window, meaning the buyer inherits two more years of supplement. Factor that in.