The Top Cars with Zero Road Tax

Prior to the changes to road tax last year, many of us thought we’d worked out which cars to buy to save on road tax, but everything has changed and we’re now looking at a whole different set of criteria when it comes to deciding which cars are subject to road tax and which are not. It’s even tougher than before to escape the road tax charges, but it can be done as long as you’re not looking for a car registered after 1^st April 2017 or you opt for a fully electric vehicle. Paying £140 a year extra on your road tax is no April Fool’s joke, but this is what many of us are now facing. Buy a brand new car and you’ll also have an extra fee to pay unless you go for an electric or hydrogen powered vehicle.

If you’re looking to avoid paying road tax a little longer, then there are still plenty of great cars out there for you. Let’s take a closer look at our top pick of your zero road tax options…

Skoda Citigo – Ideal for Urban Driving

If you’re looking for a small city car with zero road tax then the Skoda Citigo is worth checking out. The interior is actually deceptively spacious, so if you’ve written this one off as being just too small, have a sit inside one and you might be pleasantly surprised. It’s an economical vehicle that’s ideally suited to city life. It’s nippy to drive and easy to park and they’re not too expensive to buy either. Combine this with the low running costs and you’ve got a great car for anyone on a budget.

To avoid paying road tax, you need to opt for a model that comes with the GreenTech package, and of course it must have been registered prior to 1^st April 2017.

Compare deals on the Skoda Citigo at Carwow

Nissan Leaf – A brand new car with no tax to pay

Since the changes, your choice of brand new cars with zero road tax is limited. You need to opt for an electric or hydrogen car and one such option well worth considering is the Nissan Leaf. It’s a big seller that’s ideal for city driving and you’ll get 155 miles from one charge, more than enough for your day-to-day driving requirements.

Visit Nissan to discover more about the Leaf

Hyundai Ioniq – An electric car with style

If you’re not keen on the looks of the Nissan Leaf, then another electric car that you can buy brand new today with zero road tax to pay is the Hyundai Ioniq. Choose the totally electric model to benefit from those road tax savings and you’ve got a very practical and good looking car. It certainly doesn’t have that ‘electric car look’ that can be off-putting to some. You’ll get a very decent 174 mile range from the Ioniq, perfect if you travel further than simply around your own town or city. There’s no compromise on power either with a 119bhp Sport Mode.

Read an in-depth review of the Hyundai Ioniq at What Car?

Renault Kadjar  - A great all-rounder

Want something with more space? Then how about the Renault Kadjar? It’s a spacious car with loads of room in the boot making this vehicle very practical. To buy, they’re a little cheaper than their rival the Nissan Qashqai, and you get that meaty SUV look. However, if you want a car with no road tax to pay, unfortunately you can’t opt for the Dynamique S Nav model with the gorgeous 19” alloys as those bigger wheels push up the C02 emissions and you’ll have to pay road tax.

Auto Express give the Kadjar a 4 star rating

Citroen C4 Grand Picasso – Perfect for larger families

If space is your priority then the C4 Grand Picasso is well worth a look. There’s seven seats as standard and loads of room in the boot. A large family can easily pack everything they need for a camping holiday, and a huge shopping trip is no problem with this car. To qualify for zero road tax, you’re looking at the 1.6l BlueHDi diesel, and of course it must have been registered before April 1^st 2017. There are no options to upgrade this model from the most basic trim level, but you do get plenty of features with it such as parking sensors, air conditioning and DAB radio, so this may well not be an issue for you.

Find C4 Grand Picasso deals at Carwow

Mercedes B 250e – A touch of luxury

If you love to travel in style and want a car that simply oozes luxury then how about the Mercedes B 250e? As this is a fully electric car, you can buy one now, brand new, with no road tax to pay. Based on the standard B-Class Mercedes, there’s no compromise on looks just because you’re driving electric. On the inside, you get loads of high-tech features and leather upholstery. It’s everything you’d expect from the Mercedes brand.

Autotrader review the Mercedes B 250e

BMW 3 Series Hybrid eDrive – Fun to drive

For those who simply love to be behind the wheel, take a close look at the BMW 3 Series hybrid eDrive. You’ll need to buy a vehicle registered before 1^st April 2017 for the zero road tax to apply. If you live in London there’s a double benefit as this car is also exempt from the Congestion Charge. In tests and reviews this car always scores well on just how enjoyable it is to drive.

Learn more about the BMW 3 Series eDrive

Are you inspired?

There’s a road tax free car for everyone if you’re clever and know what to look for! Your choices are more limited if you’re buying brand new, but there are some great electric cars on the market these days. Whether you’re looking for a compact city run around, or an SUV, you can still avoid paying road tax in 2018!

It’s worth bearing in mind though that even if your car is exempt from road tax, you’ll still, by law, need to have your VED renewed every year. Set a reminder so you’ll never forget at MOTRemind.co.uk