New £760 Car Tax Charges to Impact Everyday Family Cars from April
£760 Car Tax Hits Everyday Cars from April

New £760 Car Tax Charges to Impact Everyday Family Cars from April

Motorists in the United Kingdom are being warned about substantial increases in car tax charges set to take effect from April 2026. New tax bands will see many drivers facing a hefty £760 annual fee, with experts cautioning that everyday family vehicles are not exempt from these hikes.

Grant Davidson, Managing Director of the popular TikTok channel @ScottishCarClan, has issued a stark warning, stating that "nothing is safe" from the upcoming tax rises this spring. He emphasized that the assumption that only high-end luxury cars like Lamborghinis and Bentleys would be affected is incorrect.

Everyday Vehicles Facing the £760 Tax Burden

Davidson highlighted several common models that will incur the £760 charge starting in April:

  • Ford Galaxy with the 2.3-litre petrol engine.
  • Ford Mondeo, particularly the V6 version, which Davidson described as "humble" yet now subject to the high tax.
  • Audi TT with the 1.8 turbo engine, specifically models manufactured in 2006.
  • Jaguar X Type with a two-litre engine and automatic gearbox, often available for just a few thousand pounds.
  • All-wheel-drive vehicles such as the Freelander Two with the i6 engine and the Subaru Forester.

He noted that even smaller engine versions might avoid the highest charges, but "if you want a bit of power in your car", the £760 fee becomes unavoidable for many popular models.

How Car Tax Rates Are Determined

The amount drivers pay for road tax, officially known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), depends on several key factors:

  1. The date the car was first registered.
  2. The type of fuel it uses (petrol, diesel, electric, etc.).
  3. The amount of tailpipe CO2 emissions it produces.

These rates are adjusted annually by the Labour Party government in line with inflation. The upcoming increase on 1 April 2026 will set the rates for the 2026/27 financial year, leading to higher costs for many vehicle owners across the country.

This change underscores a broader trend of rising motoring expenses, affecting a wide range of drivers beyond just those with luxury or high-performance cars. Motorists are advised to check their specific vehicle's tax band to prepare for the financial impact starting this spring.