Motoring Today

BMW 3 Series road tax (2026/27)

How much is Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) on a BMW 3 Series? 50% of the 4 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?

Most used BMW 3 Series in stock pay the flat standard rate of £200 a year — 50% were first registered on or after 1 April 2017, when road tax became a single annual rate regardless of CO₂. Figures are for the 2026/27 UK tax year.

Standard rate
£200/yr
Most common
£200/yr (50%)
From April 2017
50% of stock
Median CO₂
118 g/km

There are 4 used BMW 3 Series cars available for sale on Motoring Today, spanning model years from 2015 to 2019. When buying one of these used cars in the UK, the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly known as road tax, depends significantly on the car's first-registration date and its CO2 emissions or fuel type. Unlike new cars where the first year's tax is often higher, used cars are taxed based on their existing VED band. For cars first registered before 1 April 2017, the annual VED is determined purely by the car's CO2 emissions band. However, for BMW 3 Series models registered from 1 April 2017 onwards, a different system applies. These cars typically pay a higher first-year rate (already paid by the original owner), followed by a standard annual flat rate. An additional "premium rate" surcharge applies for five years if the car had a list price over £40,000 when new, beginning from the second year of registration. Fully electric cars have historically been exempt from VED, but this exemption is set to change. Because the VED amount varies greatly depending on the specific vehicle's registration date, engine, and original list price, it is not possible to state a single figure for all used BMW 3 Series models. To find the precise annual VED for any individual car listed on Motoring Today, please check the specific details provided within that car's listing.

Standard rate (year 2+)
£200/yr

Cars registered from 1 Apr 2017 (2026/27)

Most common in stock
£200/yr

50% 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 £9,699

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

2015 320d Edition+ Auto

DieselAutomatic70,467 mi2015
Band A · £20/yr
Finance available on request
£9,699
cash

AB Dealers·4.6 (235)· Feltham

BMW 3 Series
Fair price

BMW 3 Series

2016 320d M Sport Auto

DieselAutomatic64,981 mi2016
Band C · £35/yr
Finance available on request
£12,599
cash

CG Motorland·4.5 (212)· Leicester

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

2019 320d Xdrive M Sport Auto

DieselAutomatic103,156 mi2019
£200/yr
£368/mo
£15,995
cash

Oaktree Motor Company·4.7 (200)· 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, VED involves an initial first-year rate followed by a standard flat rate. Cars with a list price exceeding £40,000 when new also incur an additional surcharge for five years. Older cars, registered before April 2017, are taxed based on their CO2 emission bands.
Do electric BMW 3 Series models pay road tax?
Currently, fully electric vehicles are exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). However, this exemption is set to change in the UK from April 2025, so it's advisable to check the most current government rules for future tax implications.
How many BMW 3 Series cars are currently available?
There are 3 used BMW 3 Series models currently for sale, ranging from model years 2015 to 2019. These details were last updated on 27 September 2026.

More BMW 3 Series resources