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Expert Reveals Top 10 Used Cars with Lowest Vehicle Tax
Motoring specialists have identified the top ten pre-owned vehicles that offer the lowest car tax rates, with some models costing owners as little as £20 annually. According to automotive platform Cazoo, cars registered prior to April 2017 generally benefit from significantly reduced Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Recent changes to car tax regulations, implemented in April, introduced a flat annual rate of £195 for electric vehicles, which were previously taxed based on CO2 emissions. Additionally, cars valued over £40,000 are now subject to an Expensive Car Supplement.
Cazoo clarifies that older vehicles, specifically those registered before March 31, 2017, are taxed based on their emissions output. This system allows drivers to pay between just £20 and £35 per year for car tax.
For vehicles registered after April 1, 2025, owners will incur a lower rate in the first year, followed by a standard annual fee of £195. However, electric vehicles registered before March 31, 2017, continue to benefit from a reduced tax rate of £20 per year.
Cazoo’s Top 10 Cheapest Cars to Tax in the UK
BMW 2 Series
Certain BMW 2 Series diesel models, specifically the 218d and 220d variants registered before April 1, 2017, are subject to a low car tax of either £20 or £35 per year.
Ford Fiesta
According to Cazoo, select older-generation diesel Ford Fiesta models, registered between 2008 and 2017, qualify for an annual car tax of £20. These include versions equipped with the 1.5 TDCi, 1.4 TDCi, or 1.6 TDCi diesel engines. Furthermore, 1.25-litre petrol models manufactured between 2012 and early 2015 benefit from a similarly low annual tax rate of £35. The 1.0 EcoBoost petrol engines also boast inexpensive tax rates.

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Hyundai i10
Specific Hyundai i10 models, such as the 1.0 SE Blue from early 2017, attract an annual car tax of just £20. Other pre-2017 versions, including the 1.2-litre SE and Premium trims with manual transmissions, cost less than £35 per year to tax.
Mazda 3
The Mazda 3, in its 1.5-litre and 2.2-litre diesel guises with manual transmission, presents an economical road tax option at only £20 per year. Petrol alternatives, such as the 1.5 and 2.0-litre models registered before April 1, 2017, also remain budget-friendly, incurring an annual tax of just £35.
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
The 2014-2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA diesel variants, such as the 200d, are taxed at £35 per year.
Mini Hatch
The latest Mini Hatch iteration, launched in 2014, includes the 1.5 Cooper D model sold before April 1, 2017, which stands out as one of the most affordable cars for tax, costing £20 annually. Certain trim levels may, however, elevate CO2 emissions into a higher tax bracket, resulting in a £35 annual charge. Other models within the £35 tax bracket include the diesel-powered 2.0 Cooper SD and versions equipped with the 1.2-litre Mini One petrol engine.
Nissan Qashqai
Nissan Qashqai models manufactured between 2014 and 2017, featuring a 1.5-litre or 1.6-litre diesel engine, incur road tax charges of either £20 or £35 per year.
Peugeot 3008
Diesel versions of the Peugeot 3008 family SUV, particularly those with the 1.6 BlueHDi engine, exhibit low emissions, enabling them to qualify for £20 annual road tax. For those preferring petrol engines, models such as the 1.2 PureTech 130 cost £35 per year to tax.
Renault Kadjar
Pre-2017 Renault Kadjar models fitted with the 1.5 DCi diesel engine are taxed between £20 and £35 annually, contingent on the specific trim level. Later models powered by 1.6-litre diesel engines also fall into the £35 annual tax bracket.
Volkswagen Golf
The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf (2013-2020), specifically the 1.6 TDI 105, 110 diesel, and the 1.0 TSI petrol versions, often attract a car tax of £20 per year. Depending on their power output and registration date, other models—including the 2.0 TDI diesel and 1.4 TSI petrol variants—are taxed at either £20 or £35 annually.