Full list of cars with the LOWEST road tax in the UK including some costing just £20 – does your motor make the list

THE full list of cars with the lowest road tax in the UK has been released – and some of them cost just £20.

With the cost-of-living crisis hitting your garage as much as your home, choosing a car with low road tax can help keep hold of some cash.

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Motoring pro Harry Waring from Cazoo has shared which cars to keep an eye on.

If you’re in the market for a second-hand car, you could be saving a fair chunk of change.

The most important thing to know is where to look and pay when the car was first registered.

Cars registered before April 2017 are the jackpot when it comes to road tax savings.

Some of these motors will cost you less in tax than £20 and with the tax rules changing in April 2025, now’s the time lock in those savings before the new charges kick in.

If your car was registered after 1st April 2017, your road tax—officially called Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)—is based on CO2 emissions.

In your first year of ownership, your tax is calculated based on those emissions, but after that, you’re looking at a flat rate of £195 per year. Ouch!

If you’ve got a posh motor worth over £40,000 you’ll be subject to the “Expensive Car Supplement,” which adds even more to your bill.

However if you’ve got a car registered before 1st April 2017, these older models follow an emissions-based system that could land you in a tax bracket as low as £20 or £35 a year.

From April 2025, even electric vehicles unfortunately will also be hit with road tax charges.

If your car was registered after 1st April 2025, you’ll pay the lowest first-year rate, followed by £195 annually.

However, if your EV was registered before 31st March 2017, you’ll still be able to enjoy £20 a year.

While road tax rates are fixed and non-negotiable, there’s one way you can save – pay upfront for the whole year.

Paying monthly by direct debit might seem convenient, but it’ll cost you more in the long run.

Also if you sell your car before the end of the year, you can cancel your tax and get a refund for the unused months.

BMW 2 SERIES

If you go for the diesel-powered 218d or 220d models registered before April 2017, you’ll pay just £20 or £35 a year in tax.

With sporty performance and premium handling, this Beemer is good for anyone who likes the taste of luxury.

FORD FIESTA

Diesel models like the 1.5 TDCi and 1.6 TDCi from 2008-2017 cost just £20 to tax, while the petrol-powered 1.0 EcoBoost delivers low rates and brilliant fuel economy.

HYUNDAI I10

If you pick a 1.0 SE Blue or 1.2-litre SE model from early 2017, you’ll pay just £20 or £35 a year.

It’s cheap to run, spacious, and perfect for city driving.

MAZDA 3

The 1.5d SkyActiv models are completely tax-free, while the 2.2 diesel costs just £20 a year.

Even petrol options like the 1.5 and 2.0-litre engines stay budget-friendly at £35 if it’s pre-April 2017.

MERCEDES-BENZ GLA

Diesel models like the 200d, registered before April 2017, cost as little as £35 a year to tax.

It’s posh, practical, and won’t break the bank.

MINI HATCH

The Mini Hatch remains a family favourite, and pre-2017 models with the 1.5 Cooper D engine cost just £20 a year.

Even the petrol-powered 1.2 Mini One lands in the £35 tax bracket.

NISSAN QASHQAI

Models with the 1.5 dCi diesel engine from 2014-2017 cost just £20 or £35 a year to tax.

Spacious, reliable, and economical, the Qashqai is deal for those looking for something dependable.

PEUGEOT 308

This stylish SUV is a top pick, with diesel engines like the 1.6 BlueHDi costing just £20 a year in tax.

Petrol fans can opt for the 1.2 PureTech 130 for £35 a year.

RENAULT KADJAR

The 1.5 DCi diesel engine in trims like Expression + or Dynamique Nav costs just £20 a year, while the 1.6 diesel models stay affordable at £35.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Diesel models like the 1.6 TDI or petrol-powered 1.0 TSI from 2013-2017 cost £20 a year in road tax.

Even higher-powered versions like the 2.0 TDI or 1.4 TSI petrol stay in the £35 bracket.

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