Motoring Today

BMW 3 Series road tax (2026/27)

How much is Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) on a BMW 3 Series? 40% of the 5 in stock pay the flat £200/yr standard rate.

Reviewed by the Motoring Today Editorial team · methodology in our editorial standards.

How much is road tax on a BMW 3 Series?

Road tax on a used BMW 3 Series depends on when it was first registered: cars from 1 April 2017 pay the flat standard rate of £200 a year, while earlier cars pay a CO₂-based band. Figures are for the 2026/27 UK tax year.

Standard rate
£200/yr
Most common
£200/yr (40%)
From April 2017
40% of stock
Median CO₂
124 g/km

With four used BMW 3 Series models currently available on Motoring Today, ranging from 2013 to 2019 registrations, understanding the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly known as road tax, for these cars is crucial. The amount of VED you'll pay depends significantly on when the specific car was first registered and its CO2 emissions or fuel type. Unlike new cars, VED for used vehicles doesn't change based on subsequent owners; it's fixed by the car's initial characteristics. For BMW 3 Series cars registered before April 2017, the VED amount is primarily determined by their CO2 emissions banding. Lower CO2 figures typically result in lower annual road tax. However, a different system applies to cars registered from April 2017 onwards, including some of the later 3 Series models in our selection. These vehicles incur a first-year rate based on CO2, followed by a standard flat annual rate. There is also an additional surcharge for cars with a list price exceeding a certain threshold when new. It's also important to note that while fully electric cars are currently exempt from VED, this exemption is set to change in the future. Because the exact VED figure varies by the individual car's first registration date, fuel type, and specific CO2 emissions, we cannot state a precise amount here. For the most accurate information, please check the detailed specifications for each BMW 3 Series listing on Motoring Today.

Standard rate (year 2+)
£200/yr

Cars registered from 1 Apr 2017 (2026/27)

Most common in stock
£200/yr

40% of BMW 3 Series

Expensive-car supplement
+£440/yr

If over £40k new · years 2–6

How BMW 3 Series road tax is worked out

First-year rate by CO₂ (cars registered from 1 April 2026)
CO₂Petrol / EV / RDE2 dieselNon-RDE2 diesel
0 g/km£10£10
1–50 g/km£115£135
51–75 g/km£135£280
76–90 g/km£280£365
91–100 g/km£365£405
101–110 g/km£405£455
111–130 g/km£455£560
131–150 g/km£560£1,410
151–170 g/km£1,410£2,270
171–190 g/km£2,270£3,420
191–225 g/km£3,420£4,850
226–255 g/km£4,850£5,690
Over 255 g/km£5,690£5,690

After the first year

2026/27
  • £200/yr standard rate — every car registered on or after 1 April 2017, petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric.
  • +£440/yr expensive-car supplement in years 2–6 if the list price was over £40,000 new (£50,000 for electric cars registered from April 2025).
  • Electric cars pay £10 in the first year, then the £200 standard rate — the zero-emission exemption ended on 1 April 2025.
  • Cars registered 2001–2017 stay on the CO₂ band system (bands A–M), from £20 to £790 a year.

Rates shown are for the 2026/27 UK tax year (source: DVLA / GOV.UK). Check the exact figure for a specific car by its registration on the GOV.UK vehicle-tax service.

BMW 3 Series in stock now — from £7,480

BMW 3 Series
Above market

BMW 3 Series

2017 320i Xdrive Sport Auto

PetrolAutomatic78,000 mi2017
Band F · £225/yr
£299/mo
£12,990
cash

Protheroes·4.4 (73)· Market Harborough

BMW 3 Series
Good price

BMW 3 Series

2017 320d Edition+ Auto

DieselAutomatic23,817 mi2017
Band A · £20/yr
£329/mo
£14,598
cash

AB Dealers·4.6 (196)· Feltham

BMW 3 Series
Fair price

BMW 3 Series

2019 320d Xdrive M Sport Auto

DieselAutomatic103,156 mi2019
£200/yr
£373/mo
£16,195
cash

Oaktree Motor Company·4.7 (193)· Cwmbran

Trim-by-trim specifications & road tax

Trim-level specifications for the BMW 3-Series (Diesel, Petrol, Petrol/Electric Hybrid), across 800 recorded variants.

Performance
102–543 bhp
Power
3.3s
0–60 mph (fastest)
210 mph
Top speed
1,499–3,999 cc
Engine
Economy & running costs
22–68 mpg
Fuel economy
44–297 g/km
CO₂
£600
Road tax (VED)
18–49 of 50
Insurance group
Dimensions & practicality
4,633 mm
Length
2,031 mm
Width
1,434 mm
Height
2,810 mm
Wheelbase
1,528 kg
Weight
5
Seats
4
Doors
Euro NCAP safety
5★
Adult
4★
Child
1★
Pedestrian

The BMW 3-Series M3 (07-13) was tested by Euro NCAP in and received the following safety ratings:

Manual · Automatic 5 seats New from £15,985
TrimFuelPowerMPGCO₂Ins.
M3 xDrive 530 Competition M 4dr Step Auto [Ult Pk]AutomaticPetrol522 bhp27.7 - 28 mpg22842
M3 CS 4dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol543 bhp27.4 - 27.7 mpg23049
M3 xDrive Comp M 4dr Step Auto [Ultimate/M Pro Pk]AutomaticPetrol502 bhp28 - 28.2 mpg22942
320i SE Pro 4dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol181 bhp42.8 - 44.1 mpg14528
318i SE Pro 4dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol153 bhp43.5 - 44.1 mpg14424
M3 Competition 4dr Step Auto [Ultimate Pack]AutomaticPetrol502 bhp28.8 mpg22341
M340i xDrive MHT 4dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol368 bhp35.8 - 36.7 mpg17639
M340d xDrive Sport Automatic 4dAutomaticDiesel335 bhp45.6 - 46.3 mpg15942
M340d xDrive Sport Automatic 5dAutomaticDiesel335 bhp44.1 - 44.8 mpg16542
330d MHT Sport 4dr Step AutoAutomaticDiesel281 bhp53.3 - 56.5 mpg13140
330d xDrive MHT Sport 4dr Step AutoAutomaticDiesel281 bhp50.4 - 53.3 mpg14040
330d MHT M Sport Pro Ed 4dr Step Auto [Tech Pk]AutomaticDiesel281 bhp53.3 - 54.3 mpg13641

Manufacturer specifications aggregated across recorded trims; individual cars vary by options and age. Figures are a guide — confirm exact spec with the seller.

Frequently asked questions

How much is road tax on a BMW 3 Series?
A BMW 3 Series registered on or after 1 April 2017 pays the flat standard rate of £200 a year for 2026/27. Cars registered between March 2001 and March 2017 pay a CO₂-based band instead. If the car cost over £40,000 new, add the £440/yr expensive-car supplement in years 2–6.
Do electric BMW 3 Seriess pay road tax?
Yes — since 1 April 2025 zero-emission cars pay VED. A new electric car pays £10 in its first year, then the £200 standard rate; electric cars registered before April 2025 also pay £200. Electric cars registered before March 2017 pay £20.
What is the expensive-car (£40,000) supplement?
Cars with a list price over £40,000 when new pay an extra £440 a year on top of the standard rate for five years, starting from the second licence (years 2–6). For zero-emission cars registered from 1 April 2025 the threshold is £50,000. It is based on the list price when new, not the price you pay used.
How is road tax calculated for the BMW 3 Series?
For cars registered from April 2017, VED is a first-year "showroom" rate based on CO₂ emissions, then the flat £200 standard rate every year after. Older cars (2001–2017) stay on the CO₂ band system (bands A–M). You can check the exact rate for any specific car by its registration on the DVLA vehicle-tax service.
How does used-car road tax work in the UK?
For cars registered from April 2017, there's a first-year VED rate based on CO2, followed by a standard flat rate. Cars with a list price exceeding £40,000 when new incur an additional surcharge for five years. Older cars registered before April 2017 are taxed based purely on their CO2 emissions bands.
Do electric BMW 3 Series models pay road tax?
Electric vehicles (EVs) have historically been exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). However, this exemption is changing from April 2025, so it's advisable to check the current rules for any specific electric BMW 3 Series you are considering.
How many BMW 3 Series cars are for sale?
We currently have 5 BMW 3 Series models for sale, spanning model years from 2013 to 2019.

More BMW 3 Series resources