What's Left, step 3 of 7: Can I afford my car?

Vehicle tax calculator

Work out your car tax (vehicle tax, or VED) for the year, including the first-year rate and the expensive car supplement.

Rates from 1 April 2026Rates checked

Looking at a used car? The DVLA vehicle enquiry service gives its first registration date and CO2 emissions free, from the number plate.

When was the car first registered?

On the V5C, or from the DVLA check (link above).

Fuel type

The price when new, with options. It's on the original invoice, not the V5C.

How you pay

Paying monthly or every 6 months costs a little more.

More optionsCO2 emissions 120 g/km, engine size, diesel standard

On the V5C, or from the DVLA check (link above).

Cars before March 2001 only. On the V5C.

Does your diesel meet RDE2?

Diesels not meeting RDE2 pay more in the first year.

No sign-up. No bank login. What you type stays in your browser.

Your vehicle tax is

£200.00

a year, the standard rate for a car registered after April 2017

How it adds up

ItemPer year
Standard rate£200.00
Expensive car supplement£0.00
Total vehicle tax for 12 months£200.00

This is an estimate, not advice. Check the exact amount on GOV.UK using your registration number before you pay.

Next steps

What's Left adds up your monthly figures from each calculator and shows what is left each month.

Your vehicle tax is £200.00Breakdown

How car tax (VED) is worked out

Cars first registered from 1 April 2017 pay a first-year rate based on their CO2 emissions, then a flat standard rate of £200 a year from the second year.

If the car cost more than £40,000 when new (£50,000 for an electric car), you also pay a £440 supplement each year for five years, starting in the second year. Electric cars registered before 1 April 2025 do not pay it.

Cars registered between March 2001 and March 2017 pay by CO2 band, from £20 in bands A and B to £790 in band M.

Common questions

How much is car tax in 2026/27?

Most cars registered from 1 April 2017 pay the standard rate of £200.00 a year from their second year. In the first year the rate depends on CO2 emissions, from £10.00 for a zero-emission car to £5,690.00.

Do electric cars pay car tax?

Yes, since April 2025. An electric car pays £10.00 in its first year, then the standard £200.00 a year. Electric cars registered from 1 April 2025 with a list price over £50,000 also pay the expensive car supplement.

What is the expensive car supplement?

An extra £440.00 a year for 5 years, starting in the second year, on cars with a list price over £40,000 (£50,000 for electric cars).

Does paying car tax monthly cost more?

Yes. Monthly Direct Debit costs 5% more over the year, and paying every 6 months costs a little more than paying for 12 months at once.

Was this calculator helpful?

Report a wrong figure

Guides and help

Our guides

Official services and free advice

Sources

Each source was last checked on .