ULEZ or not ULEZ?

[GCP17]

I have a Q plate running on a xflow and according to ULEZ checker it’s not compliant. Given that it’s exempt from emissions testing I was wondering how they worked that out? Any ideas? 

[TableLeg]

1 hour ago, GCP17 said:

I have a Q plate running on a xflow and according to ULEZ checker it’s not compliant. Given that it’s exempt from emissions testing I was wondering how they worked that out? Any ideas? 

I don't know the answer to your question but given Q plate cars don't have an emissions requirement they could conceivably be pretty much anything and therefore maybe the 'not knowing' is why?

[Blatman]

Do you pay road tax? If so then you will have to pay ULEZ. There are exemptions for any cars older than 40 years and any cars that are notes as "historic" as their tax class. "Historic" vehicles are those over 40 years old, and it's a rolling 40 years so this year cars built in 1983 become exempt. Next year cars built in 1984 become exempt, and so on.

 

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/low-emission-zone/exemptions-and-discounts

[GCP17]

Yes I do pay car tax. But I thought ULEZ was based on emissions ie Euro 4 standard for petrol. If car is exempt from emissions how can it meet - or not - the emissions criteria? 

[Blatman]

One of the criteria for historic vehicles is that they don't pay road tax, nor do they have to pass an MOT in some circumstances.

It is (supposed to be) about emissions, but for the majority. The theory is the number of "historic" vehicles on the road is likely to be insignificant and therefore there is a blanket exemption for them.

[evosteve]

Time to get a good usable classic I think!

[Blatman]

Not just a classic. If anyone is looking for something "interesting" then check the tax. Vehicles registered after 1st April 2017 attract lower road tax in some instances. For example, a Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 registered on 31st March 2017 attracts £650 a year in road tax. The same car registered the next day is £165. So when "thumbing through" Autotrader looking for the next fun wagon, check the running costs section!!!

[corsechris]

To add to the confusion….

 

The Westy was built in ‘91 with a Xflow, I put a ‘96 vintage Zetec in it in 2005 (I think). That is liable for ULEZ

 

The Midlana, a 1999 Alfa engine, IVA 2021, no emissions data but did get the basic CAT test, is exempt. Confess I was genuinely surprised at that one.

[Kingster]

9 hours ago, Blatman said:

Vehicles registered after 1st April 2017 attract lower road tax in some instances.

And higher in others.

 

A 1.6 civic diesel is £0 for a pre April 17 car but £180 for one registered afterwards (we have the latter!)

 

Exact same engine, but newer by one day deemed as more polluting???

 

But back to original question- looks like Q plates are a blanket “no” to ULEZ exemption due to the indeterminate nature of their emissions 

[Glen_I]

And not forgetting the 'Luxury car tax' for cars with a list price over 40k.

 

Our M340i is £170 a year to tax but add an additional £320 on top for the next 5 years after its taxed for the second time.

 

 

[corsechris]

@Kingster  Re ‘Q’ plates, I forgot to specify, my Midlana is a Q plate and is exempt, which was what surprised me.

 

Only way to be sure is to check each case I suppose. 
 

https://www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones

 

[Kingster]

2 hours ago, corsechris said:

@Kingster  Re ‘Q’ plates, I forgot to specify, my Midlana is a Q plate and is exempt, which was what surprised me.

 

Only way to be sure is to check each case I suppose. 
 

https://www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones

 

Clean Air Zones, rather than ULEZ, my Q Westy is exempt. But ULEZ it has to pay - what’s your midlana show here

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/

[jeff oakley]

Just checked mine, Q Reg and it is subject to congestion charge and ULEZ charge in London so that would be £27.50 per day for me to drive in, which will never happen.

 

It would cost me £9.00 to drive into Bristol but once it reaches 40 year old then free

[corsechris]

12 hours ago, Kingster said:

Clean Air Zones, rather than ULEZ, my Q Westy is exempt. But ULEZ it has to pay - what’s your midlana show here

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/

Duh….my mistake. CAZ exempt, not ULEZ. 

 

Apologies for that. Confess I didn’t realise there wad a difference. 
 

I never go anywhere anyway so it’s largely academic for me  

 

And the tin top really is ULEZ exempt, just checked that one as well. Just as well, going to Heathrow after they expand the ULEZ to include it, although including an airport does feel somewhat churlish! Mind you, no worse than the 100yds of Portway in Bristol that’s in their CAZ and keeps catching people following the signs to Vristol airport.