Ultimately, the car tax you pay will differ depending on how environmentally friendly the car is. That’s because the amount of tax you pay on your vehicle is based on the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) it emits into the atmosphere.
For cars first registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017, the rates are variable, divided into bands from ‘A’ to ‘M’. Each band signifies the number of emissions allowed by the vehicle. ‘A’ is the band for vehicles with the least CO2 emissions, all of which are currently completely exempt from car tax. However, this is set to change soon. Most standard petrol or diesel cars fall within band E, which are charged at £180 annually.
Cars which were registered before 1st March 2001 are taxed based on the size of their engine. Generally, those with engines smaller than 1549cc pay £200 per year while larger models and light goods vehicles with engine sizes over 1549cc require a yearly payment of £325.
But now a rolling 40-year car tax exemption for classic vehicles is in place. If your vehicle was built 40 or more years ago, it should fall under this exemption. April is the key month. So, for example, a car first registered in 1984 would be exempt from VED in April 2024.
Here is a summary of the car tax exemptions and most important things to remember.
*RDE stands for Real Driving Emissions. This is the test that can be used by vehicle manufacturers to test the emissions a car produces under real driving conditions. RDE was introduced in 2017 and was made mandatory for all new cars from 2019.
It’s easy to check whether the car you’re driving has had its vehicle excise duty paid. If you’re unsure about a rental car, or simply want to check your own tax status, you can enter the make of car and registration details at gov.uk.
Motorists are expected to pay vehicle tax in advance through the DVLA. You can pay by debit or credit card, or via direct debit. You can pay by direct debit annually, six-monthly or monthly, but the annual charge will be less.
Car tax rules are changing on 1 April 2025.
Zero emission vehicles will no longer be exempt from car tax. Electric vehicles will pay a first-year rate, and a standard annual rate, which are currently £10 and £180 respectively. This is because EVs are starting to become more common on our roads, and the government cannot afford to have so many cars at a discounted tax rate. Zero emission vehicles with list prices of over £40,000 will also have to pay the supplementary £390 rate in addition to the standard VED rate.
Leftover tax on used cars used to transfer to the new owner on purchase. However, this is no longer the case. When buying a car, the new owner takes responsibility for its taxation immediately. You can tax your vehicle online or at a Post Office. Sellers now receive a full refund for any of the months remaining on their car tax.
Beware of timing, sellers; you will only be refunded car tax for full calendar months. Making a transaction one week into a given month will entail taxing the vehicle for the whole of that month, regardless.
The car tax status of any vehicle can now be checked online using the make and registration details. Where enforcement agents could previously perform a simple inspection of paper vehicle tax discs, checks are now performed digitally. The police, the DVLA and other agencies utilise automatic number plate recognition cameras (or ANPR cameras) linked with a nationwide electronic vehicle register.
If you’re wondering how to tax a used car, does that mean you already in the market for your next car? ASM Auto Recycling has an extensive range of repairable vehicles, with regular online salvage auctions. Read our guide to buying used cars at online auctions. As an Authorised Approved Treatment Facility, we can also take unwanted used cars to be scrapped, recycled, and resold where possible. Get a quote from us today.
]]>When the engine fires, the spark causes the ignition cycle to begin. As this happens every time you start your car, the metal in the plugs will inevitably burn out over time. As this happens, eventually the gap between the electrodes becomes too vast for the spark to travel, leading to misfires, weak acceleration and poor mileage.
Replacing your spark plugs regularly can help your vehicle run at peak performance and save you from costly repairs in the future.
There are several warning signs which you can watch out for that will let you know if your spark plugs need changing, including:
To change your plugs, you’ll need the following tools:
NOTE. If you have a standard engine, the process is relatively simple. However, some more advanced V-6 and above engines have more difficult replacing procedures, so consult an expert if you’re ever unsure.
Replacing the spark plugs in your car is a great way to keep costs down when it comes to maintaining your vehicle. Discover other maintenance advice, like car cleaning tips or what the most common car engine problems look like, with ASM Autos.
Disclaimer: We are not responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from this guide.
]]>Scrapping a car is relatively simple. However, as with all things vehicle-related, there is some paperwork involved.
There are thorough legal regulations in place that you must meet, all of them designed to help the scrapping industry operate whilst minimising the environmental damage caused. A number of car parts can be very environmentally damaging if not disposed of properly, so it’s understandable that the laws are in place.
The most important regulation is this, whether or not you’re selling your car online: It is a legal requirement that your vehicle is scrapped by an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF).
ATF licences are issued either by the Environment Agency or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and any firm will be able to demonstrate their certification. You can be prosecuted for scrapping with a non-licensed firm. Rest assured, ASM Auto Recycling is a licensed ATF.
So what documents do you need to scrap a car?
There are a few documents you’ll need to scrap your car or to sell it as salvage. They shouldn’t be hard to get together, but they are essential if you want your car to be scrapped and recycled by an Authorised Treatment Facility. They are the following:
When an ATF agrees to scrap your vehicle, you will be issued a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). This will be delivered within seven days if you’re scrapping a car, light van or 3-wheeled motor vehicle. Again, it is a legal requirement.
The CoD is proof that you’ve handed the vehicle over and are no longer responsible for it, or for any related taxation.
If you’re scrapping a vehicle type not listed above, you won’t be able to obtain a CoD. However, the ATF will notify the DVLA, who will then update the vehicle’s record to show that it’s been scrapped.
If you have scrapped a vehicle type listed above, it is your responsibility to inform the DVLA that you’ve taken your vehicle to an ATF to be scrapped without keeping any of its parts. Failure to do so will result in a £1,000 fine!
At ASM Auto Recycling we handle all the paperwork for you!
Best prices paid on any car!
All cars wanted, including MOT failures and non-runners. We offer prompt collection and immediate payment.
Even in situations where the ATF and DVLA are responsible for registering your vehicle to be scrapped, you are still legally required to complete section 9 (V5C/3 form) of the V5C vehicle registration certificate and send it to the DVLA, or notify the DVLA online.
By acknowledging receipt, the DVLA in effect confirms that you were once the owner of the vehicle, and that you have authorised the scrapping.
If you can’t locate your vehicle’s V5C document, all is not lost. Legally speaking, it is perfectly acceptable for you to notify the DVLA in writing, providing you include the following details:
It may be that your vehicle has certain parts that you’d like to strip out and keep. This is particularly common with drivers who’ve spent money upgrading things like the exhaust or the wheel rims. If you want to remove parts of the vehicle before you scrap it, you’ll need to make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) to let the DVLA know that the vehicle is no longer being driven. This will also stop you having to pay insurance or vehicle tax.
The SORN will be valid until you take your vehicle to an authorised ATF, or notify the DVLA that you no longer own it.
If you’re offered cash for your used or scrap vehicle, be wary. It is illegal to scrap cars for cash across England, Scotland and Wales. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 was changed in 2013 in order to reduce incidences of metal theft. Ensure payment is made to you via bank transfer or a non-transferable company cheque.
We are an experienced vehicle scrapping firm that prides itself on paying fair prices and offering excellent levels of customer service. If you’re considering scrapping your vehicle, we will give you an instant online valuation, and handle all the paperwork for you.
]]>Tyre problems for any road user are no laughing matter. Damage to your tyres not only reduces the performance and efficiency of your car, but it can pose a serious risk to your safety and that of other road users.
Tyres are some of the most common car parts that encounter wear and tear. This is because they are in constant contact with the road surface. Subsequently, tyres will often need periodic attention to prevent permanent tyre damage and having to fork out on unnecessary replacements.
Keen to know the common signs and symptoms of tyre damage? Below is a list of illegal tyre examples and common tyre problems that you may experience, which can hinder the performance and safety of your vehicle:
If your telematics reveal that your car is struggling to achieve the miles per gallon (MPG) that it should, or if you are having to work hard to control your steering, it’s possible the tread depth of your tyres has diminished. Excessive tyre wear and tear will reduce the tread depth of your tyres. The legal minimum tread depth per tyre is 1.6mm.
The ‘20p test’ is the quickest and easiest way to determine if your tyre is above the legal limit. Push a 20p coin into the lowest tread depth of your tyre. If the outer edge of the coin remains visible it needs replacing immediately. You’ll risk a £2,500 fine and three points on your licence if the police catch you driving with tyres that are below the legal limit.
Incorrectly inflated tyres can lead to significant tyre damage, restricting their ability to perform safely on all types of roads. Driving with incorrectly inflated tyres can reduce the lifespan of a tyre by as much as 25%. Poor tyre pressure will make it harder to drive during winter and increase the risk of accidents.
Underinflated tyres heighten wear and tear on the shoulder of a tyre, while overinflated tyres lead to premature degradation on the middle of a tyre. Both under and overinflated tyres can inhibit the handling of your vehicle. Check your tyre pressure regularly.
There are times when well inflated tyres still display signs of wear and tear on the outer edges, rather than the middle and inner edges. If that’s the case, the chances are your tyres have wheel alignment issues. It could also be linked to suspension issues, and we’ll touch on misalignments elsewhere in this article.
Bulges and cracks on the sidewalls of your tyres are something you should keep a keen eye on for all your tyres. The growing number of potholes on Britain’s roads means that it’s highly likely that at least one of your tyres could be affected. If you hit a pothole, or even a curb at reasonable speed, it’s possible to pick up impact bulges on the affected tyre.
If you live close to roads with a lot of speed bumps, drive carefully over these. Speed bumps are another sure-fire way of picking up cracks and bulges in your tyres.
If you begin to notice a difference in the way your vehicle handles over time, it’s possible one or more of your tyres may have a slow puncture. Tell tale signs of a slow puncture include when your car pulls to one particular side while driving. You should also check your tyres for any foreign bodies. Nails or screws stuck into tyres will cause slow punctures.
Start to check your tyre pressure daily to see whether one goes down quicker than the rest. Fortunately, some tyres with slow punctures can be repaired, providing the damage hasn’t occurred in the tyre’s sidewall. It may also be due to a faulty tyre valve, which is leaking out air intermittently. In this scenario, a tyre fitter will be able to remove the tyre from its wheel rim and replace the faulty value.
A misaligned tyre will be visibly more worn on one side than the other. For instance, a tyre that is misaligned facing outwards will wear more on the inner shoulders than the outer shoulders and vice versa.
Your nearest garage or tyre fitter should be able to realign your tyres within a matter of minutes for you, balancing them correctly to reduce the risk of premature degradation and reduced traction. This is essential preparation for driving in the colder months of the year.
Cambered wheels on vehicles is one of the common tyre faults. This is where the inside or outside edge of your tyres are considerably more worn than the rest of the tyre. Common causes of camber wear on tyres include misaligned suspension, damaged struts, damaged or broken springs or damaged or broken control arm bushings.
If you have diagnosed one of the car tyre issues listed above with any of your tyres, it’s important that you get it repaired or replaced immediately. If your tyre is beyond repair, a cost-effective way to replace it is to purchase part-worn tyres. These are tyres that have been stripped from written-off, scrapped vehicles that still have excellent tread depths and many miles left in them.
At ASM Auto Recycling, we house hundreds of second-hand, part-worn tyres in our used car parts department, which now stocks well over 100,000 guaranteed recycled parts from end-of-life vehicles. Tyre purchases include fitting and balancing too!
]]>Is the festive season a good time to scrap your car? If you need some extra cash for the most expensive time of the year, selling your old banger for scrap could be the sleigh to go …
We think so.
The second-hand car market cools down in December, as buyers wait for the discounted new deals coming their way in the New Year. So, trying to sell a car that is way past its best to private dealers could be tricky. People generally have more seasonal things to spend their money on than old motors. Find out more about the best time to buy a used car.
Scrapyards are always looking for a good deal, however. Selling your vehicle, even if it isn’t roadworthy, will land you some immediate extra cash, which could be very handy right now. Here at ASM we buy vehicles in any condition, at any time of the year!
There are plenty of good reasons why Christmas is the right time to get rid of an unreliable vehicle. If you’re considering it for scrap, then chances are it is not in a good way.
If it is still on the road, be very wary. Some of us do a lot of driving at this time of year, and the winter weather can be hazardous. Older cars struggle when it’s cold, and even if they start, you won’t want to get stuck anywhere. Whatever mechanical issues your car already has – from suspension to electrical problems – they will be much worse in December.
There can also be more traffic on the roads, so the risk of an accident is greater. Needing any kind of roadside assistance during the festive period is challenging, as so many organisations only run skeleton staff. Plus, most garages will be shut, so trying to get your car repaired will be difficult.
If you’re driving home for Christmas, make sure it is in a car that will get you there. If it won’t, don’t run the risk – get it scrapped.
If your car is no longer roadworthy, it will still have scrap value. We can give you an instant valuation on how much your car is worth as scrap metal.
At ASM, we will buy cars in any condition, and assess what parts can be recycled. We offer a free collection service if you live close enough to one of our yards. Find out how much your car is worth by getting a valuation today.
]]>It was once predicted by the government that there could be 1.5 million hydrogen-powered cars in the UK by 2030. That is unlikely to happen now, but electric cars that run on hydrogen are a viable alternative to battery powered electric vehicles (BEVs) and may also be a greener option too.
With the sale of new petrol and diesel cars banned after 2035, EVs that run on lithium ion batteries are not the only choice for zero emission driving. In this guide we look at how a hydrogen-powered car works, what refuelling is like and what the future might hold for hydrogen-powered cars.
The answer is, not many. In January 2023 it was reported that there were 300 hydrogen vehicles on the UK’s roads, but some of these were buses. There are only two models of hydrogen car currently available – the Toyota Mirai and the Hyundai Nexo SUV. There are also fewer than 15 hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK.
So, in many ways it feels like the hydrogen vehicle sector is in a similar place as battery powered electric cars were 15-20 years ago – very much a new technology, with huge but undeveloped potential.
A hydrogen car works by being powered by a fuel cell, which takes oxygen from the air and combines it with hydrogen from a tank to create electricity. The hydrogen tanks are pressurised and only a small amount of hydrogen is required to produce a significant amount of energy. The only output from a hydrogen fuel cell car is water.
There is an argument to say that hydrogen powered cars are better than BEVs. They are probably greener and cleaner, because they don’t require a lithium-ion battery. These batteries are the environmental Achilles heel of the BEV, hybrid and plug-in hybrid type of electric vehicle since they are sourced from non-renewable materials. It means that manufacturing a battery-powered EV generates two tonnes more CO2 emissions than an equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle.
You also don’t have to charge a hydrogen car up so often. A hydrogen powered car has a range of up to 400 miles, and can be fully charged in around five minutes, effectively as quickly as a petrol or diesel vehicle.
Yes, it can. Hydrogen fuel cells are highly pressurised, and hydrogen is explosive if it leaks. There are misconceptions about the dangers of hydrogen, fuelled by images of the 1936 Hindenburg airship disaster. But research has shown that hydrogen did not explode during that fire, and the small amounts that would escape from a ruptured tank would probably dissipate into the air almost immediately. In reality hydrogen fuel cell tanks are probably just as safe as petrol tanks, and almost certainly safer than lithium-ion batteries.
Hydrogen fuelled cars were being lauded as a viable zero emissions option a decade ago. In 2013 the UK government published a wide-ranging study on the commercial future of hydrogen cars in the UK. It predicted that hydrogen cars could have a 50% share of the UK car market by 2050.
The Business Minister at the time, Michael Fallon, said that “hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles can make a significant contribution” to “the transition to ultra-low emission vehicles. Successful commercialisation of the technology will require Government to work in true partnership with industry.”
There were visions of a ‘hydrogen highway’, and 65 hydrogen filling stations were expected to meet the first wave of hydrogen hungry cars. But it never happened.
The focus turned fully onto battery powered EVs, and developing a charging infrastructure that today means there are more places in the UK to charge a BEV than a petrol or diesel car. Hydrogen refuelling stations are more expensive and logistically challenging to build than an electric charging point. Keeping them topped up with hydrogen would also entail tankers going up and down motorways, whereas electricity is delivered on demand.
There seems to be little sign of hydrogen powered cars taking off in the UK anytime soon. The number of refuelling stations are actually going down, new annual registrations are numbered in single figures and manufacturers are not investing in the technology for passenger cars.
Where there may be a future is in larger vehicles or other forms of transport. Hydrogen is considered one of the leading clean fuels for the shipping and aeronautical industry, where long distances need to be covered on single charges. In terms of road transport, buses are already being powered using hydrogen.
While hydrogen powered cars may not be the future, zero emissions vehicles will be. Many vehicle owners in the UK may be interested in scrapping or recycling their used petrol or diesel car in favour of a greener alternative. At ASM Auto Recycling we provide vehicle dismantling and scrap metal processing services for recycling and car scrappage, allowing your vehicle to be dismantled safely. These can be recycled for used car parts that provide a cost-effective alternative for used car owners looking for replacement parts.
]]>You may not think about it, but your car’s rear taillights are a vital safety feature. This is especially true when it’s dark, during bad weather, or when visibility is impaired, and it becomes harder for other drivers to see you. Despite this, it’s easy to forget to check whether your rear lights are actually working as they should. Too often drivers are seen on the roads with one taillight out-of-order or only one working brake light.
Driving with a non-functioning rear lamp is illegal and can result in a large fine. Don’t get caught out. Making regular checks on the state of your taillights is an easy way to prevent this from happening. Luckily, replacing dead bulbs is something you can do yourself at home.
There are three different types of lights at the back of every car:
The three different types of taillights at the back of a car are as follows:
Typically, replacing a taillight could cost between £120 to £180 or above, depending on the bulb type you need.
Before you start to change your rear lights, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need to complete the job. This includes:
You don’t need to be a professional to change the rear lights on your car. Once you have the correct tools, the process is relatively straightforward. However, if you run into difficulties, you should speak to a mechanic as soon as possible.
Before you begin changing the rear lights, you’ll need to take the backlight housing off the back of your car.
To take the backlight off your car, you will need to open the boot and remove the lens housing. This is done by unscrewing the screws which hold it in place. Make sure you keep these in a safe place, as you’ll need to replace them once you’ve changed your rear light.
Once the screws have been removed, you’ll be able to gently lift the light assembly away. Be careful of the wiring, which is attached to the light assembly, as this will prevent you from pulling it too far from the car. Most rear lenses will come away as a whole. However, some have a removable outer cover which will make your job even easier.
Step 1: Detach the taillight bulb holder.
All bulbs are held in place by a plug that screws into the light assembly. Follow the wires which are attached to the back of the taillight bulb and give the bulb a quarter turn to pull it out.
Step 2: Pull out the old bulb and replace it with a new one.
Most bulbs generally pull straight out, but some may require you to give them a quarter turn before you try and remove them. Providing you have the right size; the new bulbs should slot into the bulb holder without too much difficulty. You can use bulb grease if you’re struggling.
Step 3: Replace the light assembly and lens housing by restoring the screws.
Step 4: Repeat the process on the other side.
With any luck, your rear lights should now be ready to go! If you’re interested in learning more about car maintenance, or for how best to source new parts for your vehicle, feel free to contact us.
]]>If you are planning on selling your car, but you’ve realised you don’t have your log book, you might be concerned that it’s not possible to transfer ownership of your vehicle without it.
It’s important to be mindful of the fact that the UK government warns buyers against buying vehicles without log books. That’s because it makes it more difficult for buyers to tax and insure their new vehicle without it.
A vehicle log book is also known as a V5C document. It is a registration document that proves you are the registered keeper of the vehicle. It will display your full name and address that can be used for any correspondence connected to the vehicle. Bear in mind this address does not need to be where the vehicle is stored.
The V5C form outlines all of the key information about your vehicle; all of which is stored by the DVLA within its database. This will include the colour and make of your vehicle, registration plate number, the size of its engine and even its chassis number. It will also detail how many other registered keepers the vehicle has had in the past.
It might surprise you that log books are still very much paper-based. While driving licences and vehicle tax (VED) have now been digitised, V5C documents are still created in the traditional method.
There have been some technological advancements in recent years, however. It is now possible to change details such as the owner’s name and the registered address by using www.gov.uk.
Fortunately, all is not lost if you have lost your vehicle log book. You can sell your car without a V5C document; the process is just more complicated.
The biggest issue sellers without log books find is that prospective buyers are often put off by the lack of a log book. They become suspicious, probably quite naturally, about the ownership of the car. They might think it has been stolen, as over 100,000 cars every year in the UK are. Or that the vehicle has not been well cared for. It will certainly be harder to sell a car without a log book than with one.
Checking a car’s documentation is one of the key things a buyer should do before they buy a second hand car. Without a log book the new owner will not be able to insure the vehicle.
Sellers without a V5C document should always be open and up front about this to reassure potential buyers. Of course, there are other precautions you can take to make it as easy as possible for buyers to apply for a new log book down the line. A bill of sale is arguably the most beneficial course of action.
It’s vital that you cover all bases when you plan to sell a vehicle without a log book. Essentially, a bill of sale document will give your prospective buyer all the information they need to apply for a new log book using a V62 form. It’s also written proof that the buyer has accepted the terms of the sale and the condition of the vehicle.
If you want to create a fit and proper bill of sale that gives protection for you and prospective buyers, you’ll need to include the following:
Even if you don’t prepare a bill of sale, you will have to inform the DVLA that you are selling your vehicle without a log book.
If you don’t want to have to create a bill of sale, you can always decide to apply for a replacement log book before you sell the vehicle.
You’ll need to reapply for the document with the DVLA. If none of the details have changed, you can do this online. Alternatively you can apply for a new V5C by phone or post from the DVLA using a completed V62 form. If any of the details about the car’s ownership have changed, you will have to complete a V62 form.
V62 forms are available from www.gov.uk and some post offices. If you choose to sell the vehicle without a log book, your prospective buyer won’t be able to apply for a new V5C document. The DVLA only accepts applications from the registered keeper on the original log book.
A replacement V5C document costs £25, which can be paid by credit or debit card via the website or over the phone. If you are leaving it up to your buyer to apply for a replacement log book, you could always take the cost of the new V5C document off the sale price of the vehicle as a gesture of goodwill.
Replacement log books often arrive within five working days for online and phone applications. However, those made via post using a V62 form can take up to six weeks to be processed.
Yes, it is legal to scrap your car without a log book. But the scrap yard must be registered as an Authorised Treatment Facility, and you should never pay cash to scrap your car. You should also inform the DVLA that your vehicle has been scrapped.
At ASM Auto Recycling, we’ll buy any vehicle in any condition. This means that even if it’s a non-runner, an MOT failure or a car without a log book, we’ll pay you a fair price for your vehicle.
If the seller doesn’t have the log book, we require photo ID that shows the seller’s address. The seller will also be asked to sign a document which gives consent to pass title of ownership across to ASM.
Get an instant valuation for your car without a log book today, complete with a price guarantee. Providing your vehicle is correctly described, we’ll pay what we say.
]]>Car batteries can go flat for several reasons, including:
If your car won’t start at all, the battery is completely dead and needs replacing. If you want to check the condition of your battery before it fails, an easy test is to start your car in the dark with the headlights switched on. If the headlights are overly dim, place your vehicle in park and rev the engine. If the battery is failing, the headlights will get brighter as you press the accelerator and you need to replace it.
Unless your car battery fails while you’re away from home, changing your car battery is something many people can do themselves. Normally, the hardest part of changing a car battery is lifting it out of the vehicle once it has been disconnected due to the weight, so it can help to have someone else on standby.
By law, car batteries must not be disposed of with household waste. Most garages, recycling centres or scrap metal facilities will have collection points where you can dispose of old car batteries.
Be sure to read ASM car maintenance guides to help you with everything from replacing your windscreen wipers to changing your tyres.
]]>There is no question that environmentally friendly cars are becoming more popular. In a sense they have to be. In the UK the sale of new petrol and diesel cars are banned after 2030, so soon an electric vehicle will be the only choice if you want to buy a new car. Consumers are increasingly seeing the environmental and cost benefits of driving an eco vehicle, but what environmental value do they have, how much do they cost, and which are the most common types?
The biggest issue for people considering buying an electric car is the forecourt price. The average price of an electric car in 2022 in the UK was £44,000, significantly higher than the equivalent cost of a car with a traditional internal combustion engine. However, the EV market has expanded rapidly in recent years, with a considerable number of luxury models being manufactured having the effect of bumping up average prices.
In fact, it is possible to buy a new fully electric car for under £30,000 – the entry level Fiat 500 Electric is the cheapest at the time of writing, at just over £20,000; the Nissan Leaf, one of the first environmentally friendly hatchback models, is around £28,000. Of course you don’t have to buy brand new – second hand electric cars are much more affordable. You could pick up an 8-year-old Nissan Leaf for about £6,000.
The reason that EVs are so expensive is that they are still not manufactured on a scale to compete with petrol or diesel counterparts. But this will inevitably change as more and more eco vehicles are produced, and the price will come down.
Yes. Fully electric vehicles have fewer mechanical parts than cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE), so there are fewer parts with the potential to fail and need to be repaired. It is estimated that annual servicing and maintenance costs for an eco-friendly car are in the region of £200, 49% lower than an ICE vehicle. Plus, while the price of charging an EV has increased over the last couple of years, both at home and through public charging points, it is still marginally less expensive than filling up with petrol or diesel.
Another added bonus is the fact that owners of fully electric cars (BEVs) do not pay any Vehicle Excise Duty (commonly described as ‘road tax’, although roads are paid for through general taxation or toll barriers). Owners of other environmentally friendly cars (plug-in hybrids, hybrids) currently receive a £10 annual discount on their car tax if their cars are more than one year old. However, from 1 April 2025 the free exemption for fully electric cars will end. For EVs after their first year of registration, owners will pay the standard Band 2 VED rate of £180.
There is no question that a fully electric or hybrid car will pollute the atmosphere while being driven much less than a car with a diesel or petrol engine, which run on fossil fuels. A fully electric car has zero tailpipe emissions, while a family car in the UK will emit an average of 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, according to research by Nimble Fins. So, in this sense, they are as green as they could possibly be.
The only major concern, ironically, is with the lithium-ion battery, and the way they are sourced. They are made from several rare minerals, which have to be mined and so are non-renewable. A survey by the International Council on Clean Transportation found that an EV produced two tonnes more CO2 emissions during its production process than an equivalent ICE vehicle, which would take around a year of driving to offset.
However, on balance an electric car is by far the greener alternative.
So, what are the main types of eco cars on the market?
Also known as PEVs or pure EVs, a BEV has an electric motor run entirely from the battery. They have zero emissions. Popular BEVs on the second-hand market include the BMW i3, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S and Renault Zoe.
Perhaps regarded as a stepping stone to a BEV, plug-in hybrids are cars with both an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine. They use a combination of the two, usually starting a journey from the battery and then moving to the engine once the battery is depleted. Popular PHEVs include the Hyundai Ioniq, Kia Niro and Kia Optima.
An HEV is a car with a self-charging battery and a petrol or diesel engine. Full hybrids can only run for a few miles on battery power alone, and they cannot be charged from the mains. They have lower CO2 emissions than a pure ICE vehicle, so there are tax benefits for the driver.
Many vehicle owners in the UK may be interested in scrapping or recycling their used car in favour of a more eco-friendly, cost-effective green car. At ASM Auto Recycling we provide vehicle dismantling and scrap metal processing services for recycling and car scrappage, allowing your vehicle to be dismantled safely. These can be recycled for used car parts that provide a cost-effective alternative for used car owners looking for replacement parts.
Why not earn some money for scrapping or recycling your used car today and put it towards that eco car you’ve set your sights on? You can sell your car to ASM today and get same day cash. Use our online form to get an instant quote.
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