Can someone satisfy my curiosity?

ReginaII

Just a quick one out of interest! Why is my Freelander TD4 (52 reg) more expensive to tax then my husband's Discovery TDI (M reg)? Significantly more expensive and I can't work out why as it's a smaller engine.

warwicktiger

emissions??????

Stoke

Because pre-2001 rules work on engine size. Post 2001 is done on emissions. It's a particularly stupid system, in my opinion, and in many cases penalizes the poor, but it's the rules we have.

I assume his engine is more than 1.6 litre, which means his car will be £225 tax. Your car engine size is irrelevant, it's merely categorized by it's emissions and therefore is in a higher tax bracket.

If his car was made after 2001, undoubtedly it would cost more than yours.

ReginaII

No, it's a more efficient engine, husband's old Disco emits rather more.

ReginaII

Hi, yes his is 2495cc whereas mine is 1951cc. Well, thanks for sorting that out for me as it's been bugging me. I had to pay £150 (odd) quid for mine for 6 months, so was feeling a bit surprised!

Aretnap

Yes, different systems for pre- and post-2001 vehicles

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables

When they brought in emissions-based tax rates a grandfather clause was applied to vehicles which had already been registered, so a big old gas guzzler is often significantly cheaper to tax than a big new gas guzzler, even though its emissions and engine size may be greater.

ReginaII

Cheers! Live and learn eh? If it weren't for the fact that we're in the back of beyond in Cornwall I'd get shut of it and get a little Fiat 500 or something but, just not practical.

hgotsparkle

I have the same issue, my newer, apparently low emission car is £175 a year to tax, whereas my OHs older, clunky over revved thing is miles cheaper!

Stoke

Aretnap wrote: »

Yes, different systems for pre- and post-2001 vehicles

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables

When they brought in emissions-based tax rates a grandfather clause was applied to vehicles which had already been registered, so a big old gas guzzler is often significantly cheaper to tax than a big new gas guzzler, even though its emissions and engine size may be greater.

It also means my old but very very fuel efficient and low emissions car costs me £220 to tax (costs £30 if was bought after 2001) and my mums 3 litre TDI costs exactly the same despite being bought after 2001.

It's not a particularly clever tax system. It penalizes the poor in some cases while benefiting the rich in others.

ReginaII

hgotsparkle wrote: »

I have the same issue, my newer, apparently low emission car is £175 a year to tax, whereas my OHs older, clunky over revved thing is miles cheaper!

A bit annoying isn't it? Clearly, I know nothing about it but, it doesn't exactly make an incentive for getting rid of your old cars and buying newer.

Iceweasel

Stoke wrote: »

It's not a particularly clever tax system. It penalizes the poor in some cases while benefiting the rich in others.

Situation absolutely normal then.