Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » Why is the tax rate so high for imported cars?

Why is the tax rate so high for imported cars?

I am considering buying a 2002 (Japanese) imported Honda Insight. The garage tells me the road tax is around £130 even though the CO2 emission is less than 100g/km. Is there anything I can do to get this changed (the garage say they have tried to get something called a 'certificate of conformity' from Honda but to no avail)?

Asked on 28 March 2015 by D Udell

Answered by Honest John
Unless you can prove that the car is exactly the spec tested on the ECDC drive cycle as under 100g/km you are stuck with the standard catch-all tax for cars first registered before 1-3-2001 and under 1550cc, which is now £145pa. Owners of Insights registered in the UK before 1-3-2001 are also stuck with this level of tax.
Similar questions
I own a 2012 Volkswagen T5 which was converted in 2017 to a pop-top camper with windows etc. My V5C section D5 body type was changed to motor caravan in 2018. What should I be paying for road tax?
Further to a recent letter from the DVLA regarding my (then) untaxed vehicle, I am writing to express my utter disbelief in the fine I have received. Please allow me to explain: My van, which was parked...
With all the car tax increases I am just checking what are the cheapest petrol cars on the road as of 1st April 2025. Are there any vehicles that are zero tax or only £20 tax?