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Caravanners who own large 4x4s may now be forced to pay an increased level of vehicle excise tax. Chancellor Gordon Brown announced in his 2006 budget speech that newly registered 4x4s that emit 225g/km of CO2 and above will now fall into a tax 'super band' and will cost £210 to tax. Previously, such cars would have been taxed at just £165 for petrol models and £170 for diesels.
The Government justifies the new tax band by stating that only one percent of cars sold emit such high levels of CO2. However, a recent Practical Caravan survey showed that 21% of our readers own 4x4s.
Large petrol engines are most likely to incur the super tax, although diesel motors including the Land Rover Discovery TDV6 and Nissan's Pathfinder's diesel are also liable. Cars that now fall into the top band include pernennial towcar favourites, the Mercedes E-class estate, and Honda's Accord Tourer 2.0. Owners of the 3.5-litre petrol Kia Sorento will also be affected, although the 2.5-litre diesel Sorento will escape the higher levy.
Only new cars registered from 23 March onwards will be subject to the top tax level. Vehicles that produce this much CO2 but were registered before 23 March will fall into the former top-ranking band 'F', which is now £25 more expensive, at £175 per year.
Last Edited: Mon 8th May 2006 10:50
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