VED has never been retrospective and I don't expect this to change.

The new rate does mean that in 2018 I can start looking at used vehicles registered from April 2017 which, prior to that date, would have been in much higher bands.

My car was due to be replaced next year. Normally swap every 3 - 5 years and its 4 in June. The other factor is the Leon is too small for our current needs. The purchase date was to be decided by the VED group of the chosen car and the winner, the Skoda Superb 1.4 TSi is 115 CO's thus currently £30 a year (like the Leon). So its due for delivery in March before the change.

Will be the last one I get at this annual cost so I will make the most of it.

Going to be interesting in about ten years when VED costs or savings take on significantly compared to a car's value at the time.

For example how easy it is to sell for more money a pre March 06 regd high emission car than one a year or more newer which then gets a £500VED penalty, my own Landcruiser is in this position and i would not have bought one regd after Mar 06 solely for the VED reasons.

In high group cars regd from next year its likely to be a reversal of fortunes where the newer car wins when its older, if that makes any sense.

As for a govt presiding over a faltering massively in debt economy, i would put nothing last them when it comes to raising some wonga to kick national bankruptcy down the road, you cannot trust or hope to second guess what they might do to raise money.

Edited by gordonbennet on 22/12/2016 at 21:15

The only cars paying an ongoing current rate over £285 are those registered between 2006-2017 with emissions exceeding 225 g/km - a low number of mainly luxury or high performance car for which costs are relatively unimportant.

The difference in VED for cars in groups G-K (151-225 g/km) compared to the £140 flat rate will be just £35-145 - enough to influence new car sales but will have little effect on used prices.

I drive a big 3.0 diesel SUV getting 29mpg, a gas-guzzler to most people, but I'm only paying £210 now so not a lot of difference.

People by cars based on functional need and image, in varying proportions, I don't see that changing.