Car registrations at risk of £600 fine from April

Birmingham: So, here’s the scoop. If you’ve got a car registered between 2001 and 2017, you might want to brace yourself. Starting in April, you could be looking at a hefty tax increase. Experts from Cars2Buy are saying that the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is going to be tied to how much pollution your car kicks out.

Basically, if your car is one of those older models, the tax you pay will depend on its emissions. Some folks might only pay around £20, but if your car is a real gas guzzler, you could be shelling out over £600. That’s a big jump!

Every spring, these VED fees get a little bump based on inflation, so it’s something to keep an eye on. And if you’re wondering how to tell how old your car is, just check the number plate. Cars made from March to August usually match the year they were built, while those from September to February have a number that’s 50 years higher than the current year.

The whole vehicle registration system we know today kicked off in 2001. So, if your car has a plate from ’17 or ’67, it’s definitely in the mix for these new tax rates.

The RAC chimed in too, explaining that for cars registered between March 1, 2001, and March 31, 2017, the tax rates are split into different CO2 bands. The cleaner your car runs, the less you pay. Just remember, to tax your vehicle, you need to have insurance and a valid MOT if it’s over three years old. They check all that electronically when you go to pay your tax.

So, keep an eye on those plates and be ready for some changes this spring!