Why is the tax rate so high for imported cars?

What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

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.

Tags: buying a used car car tax

Similar questions

What is the car tax on my converted VW Transporter?

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?

Will the £40k expensive vehicle supplement for EVs be applied retrospectively?

There seems to be some confusion as to whether an EV first registered between April 2017 and April 2025 will be subject to the premium road tax charge if the RRP exceededs £40K? The Gov website suggests...

What is the legal position if the tax runs out on my car when I'm driving in Europe?