ULEZ & Used Cars: Everything You Need to Know
London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges older, more polluting vehicles to drive anywhere in the capital. Before you buy a used car, check whether it meets the standard — a non-compliant car can turn a cheap price into an expensive daily bill.
What is ULEZ?
The ULEZ is an emissions-based zone run by Transport for London (TfL). Cameras read number plates across the zone, and vehicles that do not meet the emissions standards must pay a daily charge to drive within it unless they are exempt.
The zone covers all London boroughs and operates around the clock, every day except Christmas Day (25 December). The daily charge must be paid by midnight on the third day after you travel in the zone.
Even if you do not live in London, it matters if you ever drive in. Other UK cities also run Clean Air Zones with their own rules and charges, so check with the relevant local council if you drive into a city regularly.
Where it applies
All London boroughs. The M25 itself is not included.
When it applies
24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day.
What it measures
Your vehicle’s declared exhaust emissions (its Euro standard), not simply its age.
Which cars are ULEZ compliant?
At a glance: how each type of car is usually treated. These are general rules from TfL — the individual car’s emissions decide the answer.
Petrol
Generally cars first registered as new after 2005. Some earlier petrol cars also meet Euro 4.
Usually compliant
Diesel
Generally cars first registered as new after September 2015. Many older diesels do not meet the standard.
Check carefully
Electric
Fully electric cars have no exhaust emissions, so they meet the ULEZ standards.
Compliant
Hybrid & plug-in hybrid
Judged on the engine’s fuel and Euro standard: Euro 4 for a petrol hybrid, Euro 6 for a diesel hybrid.
Check the engine
Historic cars
Exempt if built before 1 January 1973, or over 40 years old and registered in the historic vehicle tax class.
Exempt
Petrol vs diesel requirements
The two standards most used-car buyers need to know.
Limits nitrogen oxides (NOx).
- Generally met by petrol cars first registered as new after 2005.
- Petrol cars meeting Euro 4 have been sold since 2001, so some earlier cars comply too.
Limits nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM).
- Generally met by diesel cars first registered as new after September 2015.
- Some diesels registered earlier already meet Euro 6, and some later ones may not, so check the specific car.
Registration year alone does not guarantee compliance. TfL enforces the ULEZ on a vehicle’s declared emissions, not its age. Two cars of the same year can have different results, so always check the specific registration.
How to check your vehicle
Four quick steps before you buy. Only TfL can confirm whether a vehicle meets the ULEZ standards.
Get the registration
Note the car’s number plate from the listing or ask the seller for it before you travel to view.
Use TfL’s official vehicle checker
Enter the registration on TfL’s checker. It tells you whether you need to pay the ULEZ charge — this is the official answer.
Run a free Key2Car vehicle check
Separately, see the car’s MOT history, recorded mileage and tax status. This helps you judge the car’s condition, but it does not confirm ULEZ compliance.
Get it in writing
Ask the seller to confirm in writing that the car is ULEZ compliant, and keep that message with your purchase records.
MOT history, mileage records and a car’s Euro emissions class are useful buying information, but none of them is official ULEZ confirmation. Key2Car does not confirm ULEZ compliance — always use TfL’s checker.
What happens if your car is not compliant?
You can still drive it in London, but you pay for every day you use it in the zone.
Payable for each day you drive in the zone, by midnight on the third day after you travel. Driving in five days a week adds up to around £3,250 a year.
If the charge is not paid in time you can get a penalty charge notice, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. TfL penalty charges
Exemptions & grace periods
Historic vehicles are exempt. Disabled and disabled passenger tax class vehicles are exempt until 24 October 2027, and some wheelchair accessible vehicles can apply for a grace period. See TfL’s full list
Find your next used car
Browse cars from dealers and private sellers on Key2Car, with running costs on every listing. Check any car’s ULEZ status with TfL before you buy.
This guide is general information based on Transport for London guidance, checked 20 October 2026. ULEZ rules, charges and exemptions can change, so always confirm with TfL’s official ULEZ information before you buy. Key2Car does not confirm whether any vehicle is ULEZ compliant.
