London’s ULEZ is set to expand massively in August, bringing hundreds of thousands more people within its boundaries.
The change means that virtually every driver living or commuting in the Greater London area will need to have a car that complies with the zone’s tight emissions rules or pay a £12.50 daily charge.
The ULEZ is designed to banish more polluting older cars from the city. This is done based on an engine’s emissions ratings under standard testing. That’s why a 21-year-old 1.0-litre Toyota Yaris is outlawed but a new 6.5-litre V12 Lamborghini Aventador is fine.
As a rule, any petrol car with a Euro 4 or newer engine and any diesel with a Euro 6 compliant engine is exempt from the ULEZ charge. That covers most petrols builts since 2006 and most diesel from late 2015, meaning there are plenty of sensible options available as well as some surprisingly silly ones.
You can also avoid the charge by opting for a classic car. Under the scheme’s rules anything over 40 years old gets “historic” exemption, regardless of its size, economy or emissions.
With those options in mind, here are a few of our favourite ULEZ exempt cars, from sensible and affordable modern models to the utterly outlandish.
The ULEZ is designed to banish more polluting older cars from the city. This is done based on an engine’s emissions ratings under standard testing. That’s why a 21-year-old 1.0-litre Toyota Yaris is outlawed but a new 6.5-litre V12 Lamborghini Aventador is fine.
5. Mini One/Cooper
Back in the real world, the Mini has long been a common sight on London’s roads - often in the hands of inept estate agents. But even as early models pass 20 years old, the stylish hatchback remains a smart choice for ULEZ compliance. Very early petrol models fall into the unwelcome Euro 3 camp but from 2004 onwards the 1.6-litre met Euro 4 standards, meaning it avoids the daily charge
6. Toyota Yaris
As we mentioned, early examples of the Yaris aren’t ULEZ compliant but from 2003 the Japanese supermini’s petrol engines were upgraded to meet the Euro 4 standard, meaning they comply with the ULEZ standards. The compact and clever hatchback costs from less than £1,000 for a first-gen model or around £2,500 for a Mk2 model (pictured). Whichever generation you go for, the Yaris comes with a reputation as one of the most reliable used cars on the market.
7. Austin Maestro
The Maestro manages to tick two boxes for us - it’s ULEZ exempt thanks to its age but, with asking prices under £3,000, it’s also a relatively affordable classic. The boxy Brit was once a common sight on UK roads but most have long since been scrapped. Not universally loved, the Maestro nonetheless is a quirky alternative to the modern humdrum, and it’s tax exempt too.
8. Lamborghini Countach
If you’re going to snub your nose at the idea of the ULEZ, you might as well do it in the most obvious and ostentatious way possible. So if you’ve got a spare half a million, the ultimate icon of 1980s excess is exempt thanks to its age and despite its howling 4.8-litre V12. Just don’t blame us when you can’t park the ridiculous thing.
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