On this day in auto history – February 8th

Mon 8th Feb 2021

It was on this day in 1891 that a letter written by British mechanical pioneer Frederick Simms, contained the first recorded use of the term "motor car”.

Simms - who would go on to found the RAC - used the "motor car” term in a letter written to his solicitor regarding his purchase of Daimler’s engine and manufacture rights.

Simms, who is also widely-credited with coining the word "petrol", also founded the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) and helped usher in the adoption of gasoline-fuelled engines.

The tax values are provided by a third-party supplier and while every effort is made to ensure their accuracy please double check with your advisor. If the car was registered after 31/03/2017 then it is subject to new tax rules. All prices we display are for the cars second tax payment onwards. You can find out information on the cars first tax payment here

Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017

Rates for second tax payment onwards

Fuel type	Single 12 month payment	Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit	Total of 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit	Single 6 month payment	Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit
Petrol or diesel	£165	£165	£173.25	£90.75	£86.63
Electric	£0	N/A	N/A	£0	N/A
Alternative	£155	£155	£162.75	£85.25	£81.38

Alternative fuel vehicles include hybrids, bioethanol and liquid petroleum gas.

Vehicles with a list price of more than £40,000

You have to pay an extra £355 a year if you have a car with a ‘list price’ (the published price before any discounts) of more than £40,000. You do not have to pay this if you have a zero emission vehicle.

You only have to pay this rate for 5 years (from the second time the vehicle is taxed).

Check the list price with your dealer so you know how much vehicle tax you’ll have to pay.

Fuel type	Single 12 month payment	Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit	Total of 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit	Single 6 month payment	Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit
Petrol or diesel	£520	£520	£546	£286	£273
Alternative	£510	£510	£535.50	£280.50	£267.75