On this day in auto history – March 13th

Sat 13th Mar 2021

On this day in 1991, ten people were killed and 25 badly injured in what has gone down in history as one of Britain’s worst ever road accidents.

The multi-vehicle pile-up, involving over 50 vehicles, occurred in foggy conditions on the eastbound carriageway of the M4 motorway near Hungerford after a van driver, reportedly asleep at the wheel, careered into the central reservation during morning rush hour.

In the ensuing carnage, over 50 vehicles - including a lorry which jack-knifed - became involved in the pile-up within a period of just 19 seconds, leaving a trail of combustible material amongst the wreckage.

Due to damage caused by a series of subsequent explosions, the M4 was closed for four days as wreckage was removed and the road surface was replaced.

The crash led to warning signals being introduced on British motorways as a safety procedure to alert drivers of fog.

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	£180	£180	£189	£99	£94.50
Electric	£0	N/A	N/A	£0	N/A
Alternative	£170	£170	£178.50	£93.50	£89.25

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 £390 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	£570	£570	£598.50	£313.50	£299.25
Alternative	£560	£560	£588	£308	£294