Category: News

Vehicle Tax Changes from April 2025 – What You Need to Know

By on March 24th, 2025 in News

UK Car Tax Overhaul: What You Need to Know for 2025

Big changes to UK Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly known as car tax, are coming into effect on April 1, 2025. These updates will impact all drivers, whether you own a petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric vehicle (EV).

The most significant shift? Electric vehicles will no longer be exempt from road tax. Additionally, first-year tax rates for newly registered cars will see sharp increases, while standard annual road tax is set to rise for most vehicles.

Rising First-Year Road Tax for New Cars

If you’re planning to buy a brand-new car, be prepared for higher first-year tax rates based on CO₂ emissions. From April 2025, these charges will increase significantly:

  • 0g/km: £10 (previously £0)
  • 1-50g/km: £110 (previously £10)
  • 76-90g/km: £270 (previously £135)
  • 151-170g/km: £1,360 (previously £680)
  • Over 255g/km: £5,490 (previously £2,745)

EV Owners: Prepare for New Tax Charges

Until now, EVs have been exempt from VED, but that will change in 2025. Here’s what EV owners need to know:

  • New EVs registered on or after April 1, 2025: First-year road tax will be £10. If the car originally cost over £40,000, an additional “expensive car supplement” of £425 per year will apply for five years.
  • EVs registered between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2025: Standard road tax of £195 per year will apply.
  • Older EVs (registered between March 1, 2001, and March 30, 2017): These will now be taxed at £20 per year.
  • Electric vans: A flat annual rate of £355 will be introduced, bringing them in line with petrol and diesel vans.

Standard Road Tax (VED) from April 2025

For all cars registered after April 1, 2017, the new annual tax rates will be:

  • £195 per year for petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric cars.
  • £425 per year for five years on cars that originally cost over £40,000.

What About Older Cars?

Owners of vehicles registered between March 1, 2001, and March 31, 2017, will also see increases in VED, based on CO₂ emissions. Here’s a sample of the upcoming changes:

  • 0-100g/km: £20 (previously £0)
  • 201-225g/km: £430 (previously £415)
  • Over 255g/km: £760 (previously £735)

How Much Will Your Car Tax Increase?

For most drivers, road tax will rise in 2025. The biggest impact will be on EV owners, who will now need to factor VED into their running costs.

To avoid surprises, check the government’s car tax rate tables and plan accordingly, especially if you’re considering a new or used car purchase.

How to Minimize Your Car Tax Costs

If you’re looking to save money on road tax, here are some tips:

  • Buy an EV before April 2025 – Vehicles registered before this date won’t be subject to the expensive car supplement.
  • Opt for a lower-emission petrol or diesel model – This can help reduce first-year tax costs.
  • Renew your EV’s road tax before April 2025 – Lock in one more year of tax-free driving.

At Carlover, we offer fantastic deals on fuel-efficient and electric vehicles. Browse our listings today and find the perfect car before these new tax rates take effect!

Beware of Facebook Marketplace Car Scams: How to Stay Safe

By on April 24th, 2024 in News, Used Car Market

Considering a tempting deal on a used car via Facebook Marketplace? Before handing over your money, make sure you’re not falling for a scam by acquainting yourself with the warning signs. Explore our guide below to social media scams for essential insights.

Facebook Marketplace can indeed present appealing offers, especially for those seeking budget-friendly options. However, amidst genuine listings, lurk scammers eager to prey on unsuspecting buyers. Stay vigilant and educate yourself on the red flags associated with online car purchases.

While our guide primarily focuses on Facebook Marketplace, the precautions discussed are applicable across various online platforms, including Gumtree and eBay, ensuring your safety in any private car transaction.

Understanding Facebook Marketplace Scams While most listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are legitimate, a small fraction may hide malicious intentions.

Fraudulent sellers often employ tactics to coax buyers into parting with their money without delivering the promised vehicle. Some scams involve stolen images of cars to lure victims, followed by attempts to persuade buyers of the legitimacy of the deal through messaging. They may pressure buyers to leave substantial deposits or even pay the full price upfront, only to vanish with the funds.

This leaves buyers without a car and out of pocket. According to reports, losses due to Facebook car scams reached £479,964 in 2023, a staggering 93% increase from the previous year.

Responding to these concerns, a Meta spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to combating online scams, urging users to report suspicious activities promptly.

Protecting Yourself from Scams on Facebook To safeguard yourself from falling victim to scams on Facebook Marketplace or any other online platform, consider the following measures:

  1. Exercise Caution: If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. Scammers often entice buyers with unrealistically low prices for desirable vehicles. Research similar listings to gauge the market value and be wary of significant deviations.
  2. Stay on Platform: Avoid moving conversations away from the platform. Communicating via email or text makes it harder to track interactions and increases the risk of falling prey to scams.
  3. Avoid Pressure: Refrain from succumbing to pressure tactics. Legitimate sellers won’t rush you into making payments before inspecting the vehicle in person.
  4. Conduct Checks: Perform thorough checks before committing to a purchase. Consider obtaining a HPI check to verify the vehicle’s history and ensure there are no outstanding issues.

Responding to Scams Even cautious buyers may find themselves ensnared in scams. In such cases:

  • Contact Your Bank: Notify your bank immediately. Depending on the payment method, you may be eligible for refunds through schemes like Chargeback or Section 75 under the Consumer Credit Act.
  • Report the Scam: Report fraudulent listings and users through the platform. Reporting suspicious activities helps prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.

Choose Carlover.co.uk for Hassle-Free Car Buying

For a seamless car buying experience in Northern Ireland, consider browsing Carlover.co.uk. With a vast selection of new and used models from trusted dealers, you can find great deals and buy your next car or van safely.

Soon to expire driving licenses to be extended

By on May 27th, 2020 in News

It has been announced that motorists in Northern Ireland whose driving licences are set to expire are set to have an extension for seven months.

The extension applies to those licenses with an expiry date between February and August of this year. Unfortunately, this extension does not apply to taxi drivers as they are not covered by the EU driving licence directive.

It was announced by Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon who said this will come into effect in the coming days under EU rules. The change will be automatic with no action required by the driver.

She said…

“I understand that for many people at this time in particular, having a valid licence allowing them to drive for essential journeys or to ensure they can continue to work, is vital.  

“This new EU Regulation provides a practical solution to a very real problem and ensures that those in this situation can remain on the road without having to worry about getting a renewal application processed, which for some requires a medical assessment. It will also help any customers who could not access or were finding it difficult to renew their licence online. 

“Road safety is my key priority and I would therefore remind all drivers that they have a responsibility to notify the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) if they have a new or worsening medical condition or disability that may affect their ability to drive.”

Stay up to date on all vehicle related matters on this blog and our social media channels.

MOT Exemptions Extended in NI for a year

By on May 6th, 2020 in News

DVA MOT Tests

Northern Ireland drivers are set to benefit from a years extension on their MOT exemptions due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic in NI.

Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon has said today that it would not be possible to accomodate the backlog of MOT tests as well as conduct business as normal at test centres.

Nichola Mallon has stated…

I have decided the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) will continue to issue temporary exemption certificates (TECs) to those vehicles, private cars, goods vehicles, trailers or motorcycles until their normal MOT date.

This means a vehicle will get an exemption for one year which will bring it back into the system when there is capacity to test it.

She also stated that drivers will now apply for their MOT as normal next year.

Customers will no longer have to book a test that they know they will never attend and pay over money only for it to be returned to them in a refund some weeks later

Should the current lockdown restrictions continue, Ms Mallon has also stated that the DVA could potentially lose £8.6 million in revenue from MOT testing fees.

Drivers have also been urged to remember that they are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their vehicles to keep them in a roadworthy condition.

This comes after an already difficult year for the DVA after cracks discovered in vehicles lifts late last year forced the cancellation of thousands of MOT tests in January.

You can. keep up-to-date on all the latest DVA developments on the NIDirect website.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-and-motoring