Road Tax

[I-S]

Neither is wrong, despite the apparent contradiction.

For 2009, there is a very little-understood "staging" in band K for vehicles that are in band F currently. For example, the auto V6 at 238g/km is in band F. However, if it had been registered later, it would have been in Band G, and vehicles in band G will go directly to band L or M (do not pass go, do not collect £200). Band F vehicles can not be grouped higher than K for 2009, regardless of ending up in L or M in 2010. This is the bit that the BBC have missed (and that the DVLA themselves are confused by).

In other words, because it was band F, the galant V6 auto will be in band K for 2009, DESPITE the CO2 output being appopriate for it to go into L, which it will do for 2010. This is shown on the parkers page where you got the info above.

[Davezj]

but what happened to the 2006 clause?

[I-S]

The 2006 clause is the same thing I've talked about. Band G was introduced in 2006 and any cars in band G will move to band L or band M with immediate effect.

Prior to 2006, some cars that would otherwise have fallen into band G were registered as F because that was the highest band at the time. Those registered as F will move to a maximum of K in 2009, before moving to their final band in 2010 if it is higher than K.

Other cars in F may only move to J or K because band F was such a wide band.

[Davezj]

well that explains it.

http://www.smmtco2.co.uk/co2search2.asp

and if you want to check you CO2's stick you make and model in and it will ping out your CO2's

[I-S]

Here's some examples, just to clear things up:

Two cars, both band F at registration:

1) Galant 2.0 Sport manual saloon. 203g/km
2) Galant 2.5 Sport V6 auto estate. 238g/km

Note that the galant 2.5 would have been in band G on CO2 output, but was registered before 2006 but after 2001. For 2008, both are still in band F at £210 for 12 months tax.

In 2009, car 1 moves to band K at £300, and that is the correct band for that car going onwards, so it remains there in 2010.

Car 2 also moves into band K in 2009, at £300, but that is below its actual CO2 band. In 2010 it finally moves into Band L at £430.

[Davezj]

so all V6 (march 2001) on owners are screwed!

get your self a VR4 and save money.

i never thought i would be saying that.

[I-S]

Yes... £250 difference in tax pays for a lot of petrol.

[Kieran]

Bah, If only my Coupe had only been registered a couple of years earlier.... I wouldn't have to pay ANY tax!

[I-S]

Can't you set the fuel mixture such that it barely emits any CO2? Okay, so CO and HCs would be through the roof, but CO2 would be down

[Zaid]

I think its totally unfair to change the tax bands on a car one already owns! anyway probably someone with a 1.0 Corsa will produce more CO2 than me cause i dont do much miles per year! £425 per year is just too much, and if one wishes to sell his car, I dont think we will be getting much for what the car is really worth!

[Johnny_Cashed]

Agree about the milage issue. The government could put 50p per litre on petrol and get rid of road tax, and I would still break even! It is an incentive to move to a VR4 though...

[I-S]

Indeed. My manager drives 25k miles a year in his diesel that puts out 165g/km. I drive 10k at 196g/km. I pay £100 more CO2 tax, despite putting out less CO2...

[Zaid]

What If one was to convert his car to LPG? Will that reduce the tax?

[peter thomson]

What If one was to convert his car to LPG? Will that reduce the tax?

I think my brother gets about a £10 discount. Very poor compared to the cost of the conversion but then the gas is half the price

[I-S]

And now, just to add to the confusion...

Yet another Labour U-turn!

There are serious rumblings that the retroacting of the tax on vehicles registered before 2006 will be canned, or at least postponed. Watch this space...

[HMG1K]

Word from Westminster is the 'green' car tax will be delayed by 12 months - the announcement will come in the pre-budget statement next week.

[Johnny_Cashed]

Woot! credit crunch!