Steep Road Tax Increase Hits 59 High-Emission Car Models
Owners of nearly sixty car models across the UK are bracing for a significant financial hit as first-year Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates are set to rise dramatically this April. The tax, commonly known as road tax, will increase by £200 for 59 specific models, pushing the top rate from £5,490 to a substantial £5,690.
How Emissions Determine Your Tax Bill
The charge is directly tied to a vehicle's carbon dioxide output, with the highest polluters facing the steepest fees. Typically, any car emitting more than 255 grams of CO2 per kilometre falls into this premium category. This represents a continuation of last year's substantial increase, which saw first-year VED for petrol and diesel vehicles double from £2,745 to £5,490.
For context, zero-emission vehicles enjoy the lowest rate at just £10, but the charge escalates rapidly to £110 at merely 1 gram per kilometre. Average petrol car owners, with emissions around 143g/km, will pay £560, while diesel drivers, averaging 164g/km, face a £1,360 bill.
The Full List of Affected Vehicles
The comprehensive list of cars subject to the highest first-year VED rate includes models from numerous premium and performance brands:
- Audi RS6 4.0 TFSI V8
- McLaren GT 4.0T V8
- Lamborghini Huracan 5.2 V10
- Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8
- Aston Martin DBX 4.0 V8
- Ferrari Roma 3.8T V8
- Range Rover Sport 4.4P V8
- Jaguar F-Pace 5.0 P575 V8
- Porsche 911 3.7T 992 Turbo
- Jeep Wrangler 2.0 GME
- Ford Ranger 2.0 TD EcoBlue
- Lotus Emira 3.5 V6
- Bentley Continental 4.0 V8
- Aston Martin Vantage 4.0 V8
- Toyota Hilux 2.8D
- Porsche Macan 2.9T V6
- Mercedes-Benz SL55
- Range Rover 4.4 P530 V8
- Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4.0 V8
- Porsche 718 Cayman 4.0 GT4
- Lamborghini Urus 4.0 V8 BiTurbo
- Audi RS7 4.0 TFSI V8
- Ford Mustang 5.0 V8
- Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8D
- Bentley Continental 6.0 W12
- Mercedes-Benz GLC63
- Ford Ranger 3.0 V6
- INEOS Grenadier 3.0P
- Range Rover 4.4 P615 V8
- Land Rover Defender 90 5.0 P425 V8
- Rolls-Royce Ghost 6.75 V12
- Ford Ranger 3.0 EcoBlue
- Mercedes-Benz G63
- Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12
- Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.75 V12
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo
- Mercedes-Benz GLE63
- Maserati Levante 3.0 V6
- Porsche Cayenne 4.0T V8
- BMW M8 4.4 V8
- Maserati MC20 3.0 V6
- Land Rover Defender 110 5.0 P425 V8
- Mercedes-Benz G400D
- Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12
- Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8
- BMW X7 M 4.4 V8
- BMW X6 M 4.4 V8
- BMW Alpina XB7 4.4 V8
- Bentley Flying Spur 4.0 V8
- Maserati Levante 3.8 V8
- BMW X5 M 4.4 V8
- Mercedes-Benz GLS63h
Standard Rate Also Rising
For vehicles already registered and beyond their first year, the annual standard road tax rate will see a modest increase from £195 to £200 starting in April. This affects the majority of car owners across the country, though it remains significantly lower than the first-year charges for new, high-emission models.
Historic Vehicle Exemption Offers Relief
In a contrasting development, certain car owners will benefit from complete road tax exemption from April. According to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) regulations, any vehicle over forty years old qualifies for zero road tax, provided it was manufactured before January 1, 1985, and is not used for commercial purposes.
How to Claim Your Exemption
To secure this exemption for the first time, owners must apply at their nearest Post Office with specific documentation:
- Your log book (V5C) in your name
- Your vehicle tax reminder letter (V11) if available
- Proof of valid MOT (if required), such as an MOT certificate or history
- Alternatively, documentation proving MOT exemption (V112)
If you lack the log book, you'll need to complete an application for a log book (V62), available for download, and submit it at the Post Office along with a £25 fee. The Post Office will forward your application to the DVLA, and if you've already paid road tax for the year, you should receive a refund within six weeks.
The Scale of Historic Vehicles
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs' (FBHVC) 2025 National Historic Vehicle Survey reveals that nearly two million historic vehicles—including cars, motorcycles, lorries, and buses—were registered with the DVLA last year. This exemption represents significant savings for owners of these cherished classics.
Looking ahead, while exempt vehicles will still require annual taxing, no payment will be necessary, offering ongoing financial relief to owners of Britain's automotive heritage.
