Car tax bands
Car tax band M: over 255g/km
Car tax band M covers cars first registered between 23 March 2006 and 31 March 2017 with official CO2 emissions of over 255g/km. In the 2026/27 tax year (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027) the rate is £790 a year for a single 12-month payment, according to GOV.UK's V149 rate tables.
Data to 2026-04-01 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- 2026/27 rate
- £790
- official rate, 12-month payment
- 3 years
- £2,370
- 73 Auto projection at the 2026/27 rate
- 5 years
- £3,950
- 73 Auto projection at the 2026/27 rate
Band facts
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 emissions | over 255g/km | official CO2 figure on the V5C |
| First registered | 23 March 2006 to 31 March 2017 | official rule |
| Annual rate 2026/27 | £790 | official rate (GOV.UK V149) |
| Cost over 3 years | £2,370 | 73 Auto: 2026/27 rate × 3, no future rises assumed |
| Cost over 5 years | £3,950 | 73 Auto: 2026/27 rate × 5, no future rises assumed |
| Expensive Car Supplement | Never applies | only cars registered from 1 April 2017 can pay it |
Compared with the bands either side
A car one band lower (band L) pays £30 a year less (£760). Band M is the top band, with no upper CO2 limit.
| Band | CO2 | 2026/27 rate | vs band M |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band L | 226–255g/km | £760 | −£30 |
| Band M | over 255g/km | £790 | — |
How band M compares with newer cars
Cars first registered from 1 April 2017 pay a flat standard rate of £200 from their second year, so band M is £590 a year dearer than a newer car's standard rate, before any Expensive Car Supplement on the newer car. It is the dearest band.
Only cars first registered on or after 23 March 2006 can be in band M. An older car over 225g/km is in band K.
Band M cars never pay the Expensive Car Supplement, whatever their list price. For all current rates see VED rates 2026/27.
Change since 2025/26
73 Auto has not verified the 2025/26 band table, so this page gives no change figure rather than estimating one.
All car tax bands
- Band A · up to 100g/km, £20
- Band B · 101–110g/km, £20
- Band C · 111–120g/km, £35
- Band D · 121–130g/km, £170
- Band E · 131–140g/km, £200
- Band F · 141–150g/km, £225
- Band G · 151–165g/km, £275
- Band H · 166–175g/km, £325
- Band I · 176–185g/km, £360
- Band J · 186–200g/km, £410
- Band K · 201–225g/km, £445
- Band L · 226–255g/km, £760
Limitations
The rate is for a single 12-month payment. Paying by Direct Debit or for 6 months costs slightly more in total.
The 3- and 5-year figures assume today's rate holds; VED rates usually rise each April, so treat them as a floor, not a forecast.
The band follows the official CO2 figure recorded at first registration. Cars registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed on engine size instead, and some alternative-fuel cars pay slightly less.
Check whether your car is in band M
Enter a UK registration to see the car's own CO2 figure, tax band and what it costs to tax. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
Where these figures come from
- Official rate: Vehicle tax rates (V149), cars registered 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 — GOV.UK (DVLA). Open Government Licence v3.0.
Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.