On this day in auto history – May 18th

Tue 18th May 2021

It was on this day in 2008 that car-loving celebrity Chris Evans hit the headlines after splashing out £5.6 million on a 1961 Ferrari at an auction in Maranello, Italy.

The black 250 GT SWB California Spider previously belonged to Hollywood actors Steve McQueen and James Coburn, with Evans' winning bid actually setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a car at auction.

Two years later, the former Radio 2 DJ was at it again, this time buying up a rare 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO for a staggering £12 million - making it the most expensive car in Britain at the time. Only 36 of the models were ever made

Evans - estimated to be worth over £60 million - boasts one of the most impressive car collections in the UK.

Alongside his spectacular collection of classic Ferraris, his luxury garage also houses everything from vintage Rolls Royce Phantoms, to iconic Jaguars and to the original "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” car.

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