The tax busters

Road tax – two words that are sure to send shivers down the spine of any motorist.

	Adding optional extras like an automatic gearbox, or even choosing different body styles or engines, can have a big impact on bills

With prices rising once again in Chancellor Alistair Darling’s recent Budget, keeping an eye on your automotive costs is more important than ever.

That small paper disc in the corner of your windscreen is likely to have cost you plenty. But if you choose carefully when buying a car, you could save hundreds of pounds – especially when new rules come into effect next year. Road tax is governed by how much carbon dioxide (CO2) your car emits – and over the next eight pages we show you how you can save money in this road test special.

We point out which models are particularly clean or dirty. We also highlight the difference that adding optional extras such as an automatic gearbox – or choosing between certain engines and bodystyles – can make. You’ll be surprised at the results!

Each of the seven road tax bands is dealt with in ascending order – so join us as we reveal how to ‘cheat’ the Treasury...