Older vehicles with these number plates could face a bill of up to £600 per year in car tax fees, according to experts. Motorists were hit with new car tax rates from April 1, 2025 with major updates to standard and first-year Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) fees. Electric vehicles were also slapped with tax bills for the first time ever as part of a major shake-up earlier this month.
However, motoring specialists at Cars2Buy confirmed that those owning petrol and diesel vehicles first registered between 2001 and 2017 will still pay tax rates based on CO2 emissions. They stressed total charges could range anywhere from £20 to £600, with the most polluting vehicles paying the highest rates.
Earlier this year, Cars2Buy said: “Cars registered between 2001 and 2017 will continue to be taxed based on their CO2 emissions, with rates ranging from £20 to £600 per year depending on the vehicle’s environmental impact.”
Number plates change regularly, with the numerical value on the design updating every six months based on when the model was registered.
The numbers correspond to the year vehicles rolled off production lines, making it quick and easy to date any model.
This means any models with a number plate ending anywhere between 01 and 17 could be at risk of paying the hefty fees.
However, cars with registration numbers ending between 51 and 67 could also be caught out.
Breakdown experts at the RAC stressed drivers will pay road tax fees based solely on how the emissions their vehicle emits.
The RAC explained: “VED road tax rates for cars first registered after March 2001 and before April 2017 are split across 13 bands depending on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle. In basic terms, the lower the CO2, the lower the tax band.
“Since 2025 VED rule changes, cars with CO2 emissions below 100g/km no longer qualify for free road tax. This means you now have to pay £20 a year for VED if your car emits up to 100g/km of CO2.”
Motorists can tax their vehicles online through the official GOV.UK website in just a matter of minutes.
Road users who are not comfortable using the internet can also tax their vehicles by calling the DVLA’s dedicated vehicle tax service hotline.
Motorists can also sort out their vehicle tax at Post Office branches up and down the high street.
