Annabelle Clarke

PR Manager

Annabelle Clarke | Author

Eduardo Rodrigues

Content Writer

Claudia Tuñón

Isobel Coughlan

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Alastair Shephard

The cost of living crisis has prompted nearly half of consumers to reconsider the way they approach vehicle maintenance and servicing.

Forty-eight per cent of the 4,269 car owners polled for the forthcoming Bumper Automotive Aftersales Report 2024/25 said they have adjusted their habits due to increased financial pressures.

The majority (90%) plan to keep their cars longer, reflecting a shift towards more cost-conscious decision-making.

Over half (51%) said they were exploring independent garages for more affordable servicing, while more than a third (38%) are choosing not to authorise advisory repairs, prioritising essential over non-urgent work. 

A significant minority (15%) reported skipping vehicle servicing because of costs. 

“The findings reveal a largely proactive approach to vehicle maintenance. However, the cost of living crisis has prompted shifts in consumer behaviour, with a significant portion of car owners looking for more affordable options, delaying non-essential repairs and using financial assistance to spread their servicing costs,” said James Jackson, Co-Founder and CEO of Bumper.

“Trust, cost and quality remain central to consumer decision-making, benefitting dealers nimble enough to adapt their aftersales propositions to the changing needs of their customers,” said Jackson.

The full Bumper UK Automotive Aftersales Report 2024/25 will be published shortly.

Cost of living crisis prompts nearly half of consumers to reconsider how they get their cars serviced

One of the biggest changes announced in the Autumn budget is to the tax status of electric vehicles, coming into force in April 2025, the start of the new tax year. Electric cars will pay significantly more in some cases.

In this article, we’ll cover exactly what electric car owners will be expected to pay, and how it's changing.

Announced in late 2024, significant changes to the vehicle excise duty (road tax) will come into force in April 2025, the most impacted will be owners of electric vehicles.

First Year Road Tax (VED) for New Electric Vehicles

Currently, electric vehicles are exempt from a first-year VED charge, in April 2025 that will change; any vehicle registered after April 1 will incur a £10 first-year VED.

Whilst this ‘first year’ rate has risen for EVs, it is still agreeable compared to many petrol and diesel vehicles that will be taxed according to their emissions level, with some costing many hundreds of pounds for the first year.

Second Year Onward Road Tax (VED) for New Electric Vehicles

This is where the biggest change has come, whereas electric cars were exempt from VED before, after April 1st 2025, they will pay the same £195 as petrol and diesel cars. This also applies to all-electric cars registered from 1st April 2017.

What Will the Budget Mean for Existing EV Drivers?

Regardless of the age of your car, you will now pay some kind of road tax/VED, how much exactly depends on the year of first registration. The thresholds are usually the 1st of April, as this is when budget announcements often come into force, as it’s the start of the tax year.

EVs Registered Between 1st March 2001 and 31st March 2017

From 1st April 2025, any electric car registered before March 2017 

Currently (prior to April 2025) electric cars of this age do not pay any VED.

Electric Cars First Registered After 1st April 2017

Electric cars registered after 1st April 2017 will now pay £195 per year in VED. This includes any EVs including those registered after 1st April 2025.

This is probably the biggest shift in the taxation of electric cars, as those who bought them in part to benefit from the free road tax, at any point in the last 8 years, will now pay the same road tax as a higher-polluting diesel vehicle!

Expensive Car Supplement and Electric Cars

Also known as the Luxury Car Tax, this is an additional VED amount of £410 per year, that is payable on the first 5 years the vehicle is taxed. It only applies to cars with a sale price of over £40,000. This applies to both EVs and petrol/diesel vehicles.

Does the Luxury Car Tax Apply to Older Electric Cars?

No, the expensive car supplement will only apply to EVs that are registered on or after the 1st April 2025. Any car that is registered before that date will not pay any extra tax, even if its sale price is above £40,000.

April Tax Changes Affect on Older Electric Cars

Many of the changes, including the luxury car tax on EVs, only apply to cars registered after April 2025, but one of the biggest changes will come to those currently enjoying tax-free motoring in an older electric car. 

By my calculations, using rough sales estimates year by year, there are nearly 2 million EVs on the road that were registered after April 2017, all of these will now pay £195 per year in tax, alongside their diesel and petrol counterparts.

Considering this may well have been the reason why so many adopted EVs, and the fact that pre-2017 cars, both diesel, petrol and electric will attract much lower taxes, this could well reduce the demand for newer EVs.

Are Electric Cars still Cheaper to Tax than Petrol and Diesels?

It depends on the age of the vehicle, but especially when buying new, it is generally still more tax-efficient to buy an electric car. 

This is because even though many electric cars are subject to the £410 per year expensive car supplement, many similar (luxury or SUV cars) petrol and diesel vehicles will be hit with a large first-year tax bill too. Even the most expensive EVs will only pay £10 in first-year VED. 

Even a modest vehicle, like the 1.0-litre petrol Fiat 500, will be more to tax than the battery equivalent. Its 105g of CO2 per km costing the owner £390 in first-year tax, and £195 every year after. The 500e being just £10 in year one, then £195 per year.

As one of the most common electric cars in the UK, here is a good breakdown of what you’ll pay to run a new or used Tesla, under the new regulations. 

An example of the tax paid on a new Tesla, registered after April 1st 2025.

These figures are using the base model of each offering, for the Model 3 this is the rear wheel drive version, without any optional extras, selecting any options will add the £410 per year tax.

I have excluded the new Model S and Model X, as they are no longer available in right-hand drive in the UK.

As the luxury car tax only applies to electric after April 2025, there are no older Teslas that will incur this, however, the age of the car will determine the VED payable:

How you feel about the aforementioned tax changes will probably depend on how you are affected. In some ways it makes sense, but cars are getting more and more expensive. If the government wants to encourage EV adoption, the £40,000 threshold might need to be looked at.

Whether your car is an EV, petrol or diesel, something that can ease your finances is using Bumper’s zero-interest car repair financing. Find a 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Do You Pay Road Tax On Electric Cars?

Drivers have been warned against using a new car accessory made famous by social media.

The device, which became popular on the video-sharing site TikTok, could see motorists hit with a big fine of up to £1,000.

Shaped like a hand, the device can be changed to make gestures to other road users through the rear window – and can even give other motorists the middle finger!

Experts have now stressed how the lights could obstruct the rearview mirror and therefore breach the Highway Code.

They warned the tool could be distracting for other drivers, prompting road rage and increasing the risk of a collision.

Failing to comply with the rules could see motorists slapped with a hefty £1,000 fine and three points on their licence. Those driving larger passenger and goods vehicles could be forced to pay a higher fine of £2,500.

The new sign, which can be picked up for as little as £2 on TikTok, isn't the only LED-lighting mistake facing road users. 

Common LED car strip lights are also likely to breach The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (1989), which banned lights displaying a red glow at the front or back of a vehicle.

Popular "social media" accessory that could land drivers a £1,000 fine

Speed cameras. Love them or loath them, they're there for one purpose – to keep our roads safe.

But is there a point where speed cameras go too far; when these speedy defenders become downright nosy parkers?

That's the debate around a new trial of speed cameras powered by artificial intelligence currently in operation across the UK.

These new AI cameras are designed to enhance road safety beyond just speeding. They look for drivers committing offences such as driving without seatbelts or using mobile phones, a new approach that aims to penalise distracted drivers and reduce road accidents.

So, how do they work? The system uses a multi-cam setup to capture different views of the driver and passengers. Artificial intelligence then analyses the footage to see if an offence has been committed.

But don't worry, it's not all down to AI. Identified offences are checked and verified by police officers.

Early results from the trial were promising. The cameras detected 590 instances of drivers not wearing seatbelts and 40 cases of mobile phone use within just a few weeks.

Following the trial's success the programme was expanded in 2024 to include 10 police forces across the country – Durham, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley, and Sussex.

With so many drivers caught not wearing their belts and on their phones, the results speak for themselves – the more drivers fined for these simple errors, the fewer accidents we'll see, making our roads a safer place for everyone.

What do you think of the new AI cameras? Would you be happy to have one in your home town?

This new speed camera can see MORE than just your speed

Supermarkets put a lot of effort into trying to get customers through their doors. Memorable Christmas adverts, friendly mascots, and price-slashing loyalty cards; they're full of creative ideas that will get you to do your big shop in their store.

But we've had an even better idea. What if supermarkets made cars? 

What would they look like? How would they handle? And, most importantly, would they give you a discount for filling up at one of their pumps?

To find out, we've asked AI to create what cars would look like if they were created by our favourite big grocery shoppers.

What if supermarkets made cars?

To many, cars are as much a tool as they are a fashion or status symbol, with certain brands leaning into this by creating crazy one-off examples fitted with diamond-encrusted dashboards and gold on the ceiling. 

There are also cars that are expensive because of their incredible technological advancements, in this article, I’ll showcase some of each.

The Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail - £23 million

Let's kick off with the most expensive dealer-to-public sale, by none other than 

, cementing their place as the most prestigious marque in the world. The car was bought for £23 million, purportedly by the Meilland family, famous for their Roses, hence the name. 

The end user also clearly had an influence on the interior, with thousands of pieces of black sycamore detailing throughout designed to look like rose petals. The car uses a modified BMW N74 engine; a 6.75 litre V12.

Before the aforementioned droptail, a special version of a long-established Rolls model; the 

 was commissioned. Instead of the traditional aluminium body panels covering the boot, it was fitted with marine-esque Caleidolegno wood, which is essentially a fancy veneer.

At a whopping 5.8 metres long (a 19-footer to use boat terminology!) you’d struggle to park the 

 at your local supermarket, then again with no roof and a one-of-a-kind, removable timepiece made by Bovet 1822 mounted to the dashboard, you probably wouldn't want to anyway.

Bugatti La Voiture Noire - £10.5 million

As the first non-Rolls Royce on the list, the 

 is a bit left-field, it's based on the Chiron Supercar, except it has a good half a metre more aero and bodywork, making it altogether more extravagant, if that was possible.

Interestingly, the inspiration and name for the La Voiture Noire comes from a limited-run model, beloved by Jean Bugatti, son of the founder Ettore Bugatti. The Type 57SC Coupé Aero in question was given the name 

The contemporary La Voiture Noir was created to honour the 110th anniversary of both Jean Bugatti and the Bugatti company.

Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider - $10.9 million

It may seem somewhat conservative compared to some cars on this list, especially those below, but the Ferrari 250 GT broke the record for the 

first-ever car to sell for over $10 million

If you remember the golden era of Top Gear, you’ll probably recall Jeremy Clarkson visiting the buyer's house, none other than radio DJ turned temporary Top Gear presenter Chris Evans.

Mercedes-Benz W196 Formula 1 - $29.6 million

In 2013 a W196 sold for nearly $30 million at 

. In the early and mid 50’s the W196 dominated across multiple disciplines and countries. 

The car sold in 2013 was the most successful of all the surviving W196 models, winning two World Championship-qualifying Grand Prix races and taking racing driver Juan Fangio to his second win of the Drivers' World Championship.

Whilst British-made Rolls-Royces top the list for most expensive new cars, most of the expensive cars sold at auction are Italian or German made; Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Mercedes and Alfa Romeos. In 2017 an Aston Martin DBR1 sold for over $22 million, making it the 

most expensive British car sold at public auction

 that sold retired from all three years, its sister car, the DBR1/2 however was the company's most successful car ever, winning at the Nurburgring Spa and the Goodwood Tourist Trophy. 

Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider - $17.8 million

Clearly a popular car among those buying $10m+ cars, this is the second time this model has appeared on this list, but this sale surpassed Chris Evans’ one in 2008 by a decent margin, the auction was held early last year, making it the 

most expensive car sold at auction in 2024

 is quite special, being the last example built, it features the iconic 3.0 litre V12 engine, a beautiful tan interior and that typically Ferrari red paintwork. The car also benefitted from Ferrari Classiche Certification and full owner history – to be expected at nearly $20 million I suppose!

Mercedes 300SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé - $143 million

I discussed the 300SL in a recent article about record-breaking cars, for the standard road car managed 150mph in 1955. In 2022 an even prettier version of the 300SL; the 

highest hammer price of any car in the world: $143 million

Rudolph Uhlenhaut was the British-born engineer behind both the 300SL and the 300SL SLR racing version. The 300 SLR was heralded as “The greatest sports racing car ever built” by F1 driver and Mercedes race team test driver Stirling Moss. 

The World's Most Expensive Cars

We’re pleased to announce that our latest Dealership of the Month goes to Bowker BMW & MINI Blackburn.

Since early 2024 Bowker have been using Bumper’s PayLater option to split the cost of their customers’ bills into interest-free monthly payments. 

In that time, the flexible payment method has become a staple of the team’s everyday routine.

Stewart Rose, Group Service Manager, said, “Bumper has quickly become an essential part of our service team’s process, giving them confidence when presenting necessary repair work to our customers.”

The Blackburn team use Bumper’s Keyloop and Snap-On integrations to strengthen their customer offering and boost their KPIs. 

“The ease of use and integration with our existing eVHC system has been invaluable”, said Rose. 

"Since signing up with Bumper in February 2024 we have noticed a marked increase in our recovery rates across the group, as well as a notable increase in retention of older vehicles.

"The award is a great reflection on the value we place on offering Bumper to our customers", he continued.

Congratulations to Stewart, Kelby, Kieran, Andrew, and the whole team at Bowker BMW & MINI Blackburn!

Dealership of the Month: Bowker Blackburn Drives Higher Retention of Older Vehicles 

In the last 10 years, the number of pickup trucks on UK roads has exploded.

Initially, they were usually only used by farmers, but in recent years the business use of Toyota Hiluxes, Ford Rangers and others has become far more popular.

The rise in pickup trucks being favoured by businesses is due to the favourable tax conditions they are subject to.

However, with the government's latest budget announcement, that is set to change. I take a look into what exactly these changes mean.

What are the Current Rules Around Pickup Trucks?

Until April 2025, pickup trucks with a load capacity of one tonne or more, are classified as commercial vehicles, this means lower BiK (company car tax) for the employee and more beneficial accounting for the business. 

Double-cab pickup trucks will no longer be classified as commercial vehicles, but as cars. This means higher income tax for the employee and less tax write-offs for the business.

A vehicle provided by an employer, that can be used for personal use, is subject to company car tax, as it is considered a part of their remuneration.

Before April 6th 2025, Pickup trucks are considered commercial vehicles, and as such are subject to a standard £3,960 taxable amount regardless of value or emissions.

After April 6th however, they will be taxed as cars, meaning their CO2 emissions will determine their BIK taxable rate: most will be much higher due to their large diesel engines.

Before April 2025, where pickup trucks are still considered commercial vehicles, businesses can claim 100% of the cost back against corporation tax, the same as buying machinery or stock, this is called a Capital Allowance.

After April 2025, when double cab pickup trucks will be considered a personal car, they cannot be claimed as Capital Allowance, and will not offer as many tax savings as a commercial vehicle. 

How Much More Company Car Tax Will You Pay After April 2025 on a Pickup?

Here’s an example of the kind of figures to expect, should you purchase a double cab pickup truck after April 6th 2025, vs what it would be before. Remember to take these figures as a rough guide, and do your own calculations before committing to a purchase or lease.

*P11D value will vary depending on specification

When Will The Pickup Truck Changes Take Effect?

The rule changes will come into force in early April 2025, but what if you’ve already got a pickup truck?

How to Avoid the New Pickup Truck Changes

If you don’t want to pay the much higher company car tax on pickup trucks, there are a few things you can do:

The April 2025 Pickup Truck Tax Changes Explained

Find all the latest industry news and handiest car repair and service tips on the Bumper Blog. Want to get the Bumper view on something? Let us know and we’ll drop a blog post on it as soon as we can.