Cookie Notice

We use essential cookies to make our website work. We'd also like to use non-essential cookies to help us improve our website by collecting and analysing information on how you use our website and for advertising purposes.

You can agree to accept all cookies by clicking 'Accept all cookies' or you can change your preferences by clicking 'Manage Cookies' below. For more information about the cookies we use, see our cookies policy

Manage Cookies

  • We use essential cookies which are necessary to ensure our website works correctly.
  • We'd like to set non-essential analytics and marketing cookies that help us provide a better experience to our users. These help us improve our website and marketing by collecting and reporting information on the campaigns and web pages you interact with. It also helps us to target our marketing campaigns to people who are most likely to be interested in our services.
  • We'd also like to set a non-essential cookie which enables us to playback your journey on our website to assist with troubleshooting and to help us improve our website based on the behaviour of our customers.

Tempcover Survey on UK Car Tax System

Last updated: 06/11/2025

Tempcover Survey on UK Car Tax System
  • Survey conducted with 2,000 UK drivers between 12th and 16th September 2025.
  • 22% of UK drivers believe the current car tax system is unfair.

Perceived Fairest Way to Charge Car Tax

Way of Being Charged for Car Tax

% of Respondents That Think This Would be the Fairest Way

Based on mileage driven

29%

Based on emissions (e.g., CO₂ output)

18%

Flat fee for everyone, regardless of vehicle or use

14%

Based on vehicle type (e.g., petrol, diesel, electric, hybrid)

13%

Based on vehicle age

4%

Based on where you live (urban vs rural)

4%

None of the above

4%

N/A - I don't think there is a fair way to charge vehicle tax

13%

Views on Applying Different Tax Models[1]

  • 75% of respondents who support mileage-based tax think drivers who cover more miles should pay more each year.
  • 87% of respondents who favour emissions-based tax believe higher emissions should equal higher tax.

Among respondents who support vehicle-age-based tax:

  • 45% believe owners of newer vehicles should pay more.
  • 34% believe owners of older vehicles should pay more.

Among respondents who support vehicle-type-based tax:

  • 43% believe diesel vehicle owners should pay the most.
  • 19% believe electric vehicle owners should pay more.
  • 16% believe petrol vehicle owners should pay more.

[1]Remaining percentages refer to respondents who selected ‘not sure’ answer options.