Shall I tax my old diesel car early???

Flutel
Flutel Forum Participant Posts: 113
edited May 2017 in Towcars & Towing #1

I'm worried that if the Tories win the election, then there will be a massive hike in road tax on diesel cars - especially elderly ones like mine, in Mid June.  My tax runs out on 31st June  I'm wondering whether I should tax it from 1st June to avoid a ridiculous hike. It's a gamble, I know...

Is any one else having thoughts like these?

Comments

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,195 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #2

    You could surrender your current RFL on 31 May before midnight and get refund retax on 1 June. Can be done online. Won't be out of pocket then. Can't comment on increases to come.

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
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    edited May 2017 #3

    I just don't get why people are getting so paranoid about this Diesel thing?  Yes there may be, in the long term some increases to some degree in RFL and fuel duty, but you need to look at the bigger picture. Road Haulage, Public Transport (Bus & Coach service) Railways and so on. 

    Their not going to be able price them off the road/rails as there is nothing to to replace them with and it would bring the country to knees.

    I retired from the bus industry just under 5 years ago, at the time our annual fuel bill was over £30m a year for a fleet of 2000 vehicles. The Government, who ever they be , cant impact on business like that or single out Joe public for what car he can afford.

     

     

     

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
    500 Comments
    edited May 2017 #4

    In my view it is unlikely that another budget would be imposed before the autumn.keep calm and carry on.

  • Beatonboys
    Beatonboys Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited May 2017 #5

    Given the evidence they all keep referring too, doesn't matter which lot get in they're all likely to slowly target diesel. However, they can't be too heavy handed, half the vehicles (and their voting owners!) on the road are diesel! 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #6

    The election is in June. How on earth are changes like that going to be brought about in the same month? I'd rest easy.

  • DaveandVicki
    DaveandVicki Forum Participant Posts: 192
    edited May 2017 #7

    I thought politics wasn't allowed on here ?

    If this isn't political propaganda I don't know what is.

  • Flutel
    Flutel Forum Participant Posts: 113
    edited May 2017 #8

    It really is not a political thing - just a genuine worry about my elderly diesel and longevity of my caravan-on-a-budget hobby!

  • Heethers
    Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
    500 Comments
    edited May 2017 #9

    Theirs an even better chance that Labour will increase the road tax never mind the Tories, easy way to flood the chancellors chest

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #10

    I'm worried that if the Tories win the election, then there will be a massive hike in road tax on diesel cars - especially elderly ones like mine, in Mid June.  My tax runs out on 31st June  I'm wondering whether I should tax it from 1st June to avoid a ridiculous hike. It's a gamble, I know...

    Is any one else having thoughts like these?

     

     

    and subsequent years? 

    Clearly a thinly disguised political thread.  

     

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited May 2017 #11

    I think that whoever wins the election, road tax on diesels will increase, or tax on the fuel will, or possibly both. They are politicians though, so my feeling is that the rises will be staged, so that they do not get too much criticism in one go, and most will just put up with it.

    If your car is old you might get a scrappage allowance so it may be those with newer models who suffer most. You do need a crystal ball though to know what to do for the best.

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #12

    I'm sticking with my 2011 Merc V6 3 litre. Ive had it from new, its been maintained on the dot on a contract. It runs like a sewing machine. Good on fuel, Very good on tyres, and tows anything I'm likely to ask of it.  Only draw back is annual tax, but now that she's down to about £12k in value the gap is too big to get any thing half as good.

    Apart from dearer fuel they are stuck at the moment, there are simply no alternatives available.  All the Ford Transits and the equivalents from Renault, VW, Merc etc, all run on Diesel.  so how will the distribution of goods to the shops in the Cities work if they ban Diesels?

    So!  Engine Manufacturers where are the alternatives to the 2.5 - 3 Litre Diesels?  Get out the drawing board!

    TF

  • pagan8c
    pagan8c Forum Participant Posts: 91
    edited May 2017 #13

    The more they try and alienate cars from cities the more the shops etc in these cities will close. People will put up with things for a bit but eventually will go where they are wanted. I certainly don't think Diesel will disappear overnight nor in the next 10 years except on smaller cars. when there are credible alternatives then yes . As usual though as soon as diesel has disappeared  they will think of something else to ban and tax more. I am running my diesel which I have just got and in 3 or 4 years time I will see what is happening but until that time I am not going to get overly worried.

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
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    edited May 2017 #14

    Couldn't agree more. There is no way sudden change will happen. it would cost the country too much and cause no end of other knock on issues.

    Anyone running a euro 4 + compliant Diesel has nothing to worry about.