EIM24975 - Car benefit calculation step 5: appropriate percentage, 2002 to 2003 onwards: car first registered before 1 January 1998

Section 142 ITEPA 2003

This page relates to step 5 of the method statement in Section 121(1) ITEPA 2003, see EIM24015.

For all cars first registered before 1 January 1998, the appropriate percentage used to calculate the car benefit charge is based on engine size. This is still the case even if (exceptionally) there is a CO2 emissions figure available for such a car. This is because the European Union rules about measuring and recording CO2 emissions for new cars on sale did not apply before 1 January 1998, so CO2 emissions data is not generally available for cars first registered before that date.

These appropriate percentages apply to all cars first registered before 1 January 1998.

Engine size (cc)	Appropriate percentage up to and including 2015 to 2016	Appropriate percentage
0 to 1,400	15%	16%
1,401 to 2,000	22%	27%
2,001 and more	32%	37%

Section 143(2)

No cylinder capacity (engine size not measured in cc)	Dates	Appropriate percentage	Dates	Appropriate percentage
Solely electric cars (see note 1)	Until 2010 to 2011 ( legislation repealed for tax years after 2010 to 2011)	15%	-	-
Cars without reciprocating pistons - such as rotary engines	Up to an including 2015 to 2016	32%	From 2016 to 2017	37%

Note 1: no cars were ever manufactured that met these conditions, so the repeal has no practical effect.

Cars powered by diesel or alternative fuels

Remember that reductions and supplements that apply to cars first registered on or after 1 January 1998 do not apply to these cars.

The above appropriate percentages apply to all cars first registered before 1 January 1998.