Car Tax Refund Calculator UK
Calculate your DVLA vehicle excise duty refund instantly for sold, scrapped, or SORN vehicles
Calculate Your Car Tax Refund
Your Estimated Car Tax Refund
Calculation Details
How Car Tax Refunds Work in the UK
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) refunds are available when you dispose of your vehicle through sale, scrapping, or declaring it off-road with a SORN. The DVLA calculates refunds based on complete unused months from when they receive notification.
Eligibility for Car Tax Refunds
You can claim a car tax refund in the following circumstances:
- Selling or transferring ownership of your vehicle
- Scrapping your vehicle at an authorised treatment facility
- Exporting your vehicle outside the UK permanently
- Declaring your vehicle off-road with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)
- Vehicle written off by insurance company
- Vehicle stolen (with crime reference number)
- Vehicle becomes tax-exempt due to age
How to Claim Your Refund
The refund process is automatic once you notify the DVLA of your vehicle’s change in status. You can notify them online through GOV.UK or by post using your V5C logbook. Online notifications are processed faster, typically within 3-5 working days.
Current Tax Rates 2025
Cars Registered After April 2017
Standard annual rate: £195
Expensive car supplement (over £40k): £425 additional
Cars Registered 2001-2017
Rates vary by CO2 emissions band from £20 to £760 annually
Cars Registered 1985-2001
Engine size based:
- Up to 1549cc: £180
- 1550cc and above: £295
Refund Timeline
Processing Time
Car tax refunds typically arrive within 6-8 weeks of the DVLA receiving your notification. Online applications are processed faster than postal submissions.
Payment Method
Refunds are sent by cheque to the address on your V5C logbook. If you pay by direct debit, payments stop automatically and any overpayment is refunded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund for partial months?
No, the DVLA only refunds complete unused months. If you dispose of your vehicle halfway through a month, you won’t receive a refund for that month.
What if I paid by direct debit?
Direct debit payments stop automatically when the DVLA processes your notification. If you’ve already been charged for months you won’t use, you’ll receive a refund cheque.
How is the refund calculated for first-year rates?
For vehicles registered after April 2017, if you claim a refund within the first year, you’ll receive the lower of either the first-year rate paid or the standard rate that would apply from year two.
What about surcharges and fees?
Refunds don’t include credit card fees, direct debit surcharges, or six-month payment surcharges. Only the base tax amount is refunded.
Can I track my refund?
Contact the DVLA if you haven’t received your refund within 8 weeks. The helpline number is 0300 790 6802, but they typically won’t investigate until after the standard processing time.
What if my address has changed?
Refund cheques are sent to the address on your V5C logbook. Update your address with the DVLA before disposing of your vehicle to avoid delays.