Motoring Today

BMW X3 road tax (2026/27)

How much is Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) on a BMW X3? 33% of the 3 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 X3?

Road tax on a used BMW X3 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 (67%)
From April 2017
33% of stock
Median CO₂
153 g/km

There are currently 3 used BMW X3 models available for sale on Motoring Today, ranging from 2016 to 2018 model years. When considering one of these X3s, understanding UK Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly known as road tax, is important for budgeting. Unlike new cars, the VED rate for a used car like the BMW X3 is determined by its initial registration date, its CO2 emissions, and its fuel type, not by when you purchase it. For cars first registered before April 2017, VED is calculated purely based on CO2 emissions bands. The lower the CO2, the lower the annual tax. However, for BMW X3 models registered from April 2017 onwards, a different system applies. These cars initially pay a first-year rate based on CO2, followed by a standard flat rate for subsequent years. An additional annual 'premium' surcharge applies for cars that had a list price over £40,000 when new, for five years from the second year of registration. Fully electric vehicles were previously exempt from VED, though this is changing from April 2025. As the BMW X3 models currently listed on Motoring Today were registered between 2016 and 2018, they will fall under one of these VED structures. The exact annual VED payable will depend on the specific car's registration date, engine, and CO2 emissions. For precise details on the VED for any individual BMW X3, please check the car's full listing or the UK government's vehicle enquiry service.

Standard rate (year 2+)
£200/yr

Cars registered from 1 Apr 2017 (2026/27)

Most common in stock
£200/yr

67% of BMW X3

Expensive-car supplement
440/yr

If over £40k new · years 2–6

How BMW X3 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 X3 in stock now — from £10,290

BMW X3
Great price

BMW X3

2016 Xdrive30d Se

DieselAutomatic79,603 mi2016
Band G · £275/yr
£239/mo
£10,290
cash

Ezy Access·4.5 (207)· South Ruislip

BMW X3
Fair price

BMW X3

2016 Xdrive 20d M Sport Auto

DieselAutomatic81,623 mi2016
Band E · £200/yr
£283/mo
£12,400
cash

AB Dealers·4.6 (196)· Feltham

BMW X3
Fair price

BMW X3

2018 Xdrive 30d M Sport Auto

DieselAutomatic103,716 mi2018
£200/yr
£379/mo
£16,295
cash

Ezy Access·4.5 (207)· South Ruislip

Trim-by-trim specifications & road tax

Trim-level specifications for the BMW X3 (Diesel, Petrol, Petrol Parallel PHEV), across 228 recorded variants.

Performance
140–502 bhp
Power
3.7s
0–60 mph (fastest)
155 mph
Top speed
1,995–2,998 cc
Engine
Economy & running costs
23–57 mpg
Fuel economy
22–293 g/km
CO₂
57 mi
Electric range (max)
£600
Road tax (VED)
23–50 of 50
Insurance group
Dimensions & practicality
4,648 mm
Length
1,987 mm
Width
1,675 mm
Height
2,810 mm
Wheelbase
1,800 kg
Weight
5
Seats
5
Doors
Euro NCAP safety
4★
Adult
4★
Child
1★
Pedestrian

The BMW X3 (04-10) was tested by Euro NCAP in and received the following safety ratings:

Manual · Automatic 5 seats New from £25,095
TrimFuelPowerMPGCO₂Ins.
xDrive M50 5dr AutoAutomaticPetrol392 bhp35.3 - 36.7 mpg17542
xDrive 30e M Sport 5dr AutoAutomaticPetrol Parallel PHEV294 bhp38.7 mpg2238
xDrive20 xLine 5dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol205 bhp39.2 - 40.9 mpg15632
xDrive20d xLine 5dr Step AutoAutomaticDiesel194 bhp46.3 - 48.7 mpg15333
xDrive X3 M Competition 5dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol502 bhp25.7 - 26.2 mpg24745
xDrive M40i MHT M Pro Edition 5dr AutoAutomaticPetrol354 bhp30.7 mpg210
xDrive M40d MHT 5dr AutoAutomaticDiesel335 bhp37.7 - 38.7 mpg18143
xDrive 30e xLine 5dr AutoAutomaticPetrol Parallel PHEV287 bhp34.9 - 35.3 mpg4838
xDrive30d MHT M Sport 5dr AutoAutomaticDiesel281 bhp39.8 - 42.8 mpg17341
xDrive20i MHT xLine 5dr Step AutoAutomaticPetrol181 bhp36.2 - 37.2 mpg17330
xDrive M40i Auto 5dAutomaticPetrol354 bhp30.1 - 31.4 mpg20440
xDrive M40d MHT Auto 5dAutomaticDiesel335 bhp40.4 - 43.5 mpg17143

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 X3?
A BMW X3 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 X3s 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 X3?
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 is typically a first-year rate based on CO2, followed by a standard flat rate. A surcharge applies to cars with a list price exceeding £40,000 when new for five years. Older cars, registered before April 2017, are taxed solely on their CO2 emission bands.
How many BMW X3s are for sale?
We currently have 3 BMW X3 models available, spanning model years from 2016 to 2018. This information was last updated on 7 September 2026.