Essential UK travel tools for fuel costs, car tax, MOT planning, currency conversion, electric vehicle comparisons, and journey budgeting.
Calculate petrol or diesel costs for your journey based on distance, fuel economy, and current UK prices.
Calculate NowCalculate annual Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) based on your car's CO2 emissions and registration date.
Calculate NowEstimate MOT test costs and potential repair expenses for your vehicle.
Calculate NowCompare running costs of electric vs petrol/diesel vehicles and calculate potential savings.
Calculate NowEstimate how much your vehicle will depreciate over time based on age and mileage.
Calculate NowConvert pounds sterling to euros, dollars, and other currencies with live exchange rates.
Calculate NowConvert times between UK and international destinations for travel planning.
Calculate NowView current times across multiple cities and time zones simultaneously.
Calculate NowCalculate business mileage claims using HMRC approved mileage rates.
Calculate NowCalculate your vehicle's actual fuel economy in miles per gallon (MPG).
Calculate NowUnderstanding the true cost of motoring in the United Kingdom goes far beyond just the price of fuel at the pump. Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax), MOT tests, insurance, servicing, depreciation, and maintenance all contribute significantly to the total cost of vehicle ownership. Our comprehensive collection of travel and motoring calculators helps UK drivers budget accurately for every aspect of vehicle ownership and plan their journeys with confidence.
Whether you're calculating the cost of a road trip, working out if an electric vehicle makes financial sense for your lifestyle, or planning business mileage claims, our tools provide accurate calculations based on current UK rates, regulations, and real-world data. All calculators are updated regularly to reflect changes in fuel prices, VED rates, and HMRC guidelines.
UK car tax rates are based on CO2 emissions for vehicles first registered after 1 April 2017. The first-year rate varies significantly based on emissions, while subsequent years have standardised rates. A significant change from April 2025 means electric vehicles now pay VED for the first time, ending the exemption they previously enjoyed.
| CO2 Emissions (g/km) | First Year Rate | Standard Rate (Year 2+) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 (Electric) | £10 | £190 (from April 2025) |
| 1-50 (Hybrid) | £10 | £190 |
| 51-75 | £30 | £190 |
| 76-90 | £135 | £190 |
| 91-100 | £175 | £190 |
| 101-110 | £195 | £190 |
| 111-130 | £220 | £190 |
| 131-150 | £270 | £190 |
| 151-170 | £680 | £190 |
| 171-190 | £1,095 | £190 |
| 191-225 | £1,650 | £190 |
| 226-255 | £2,340 | £190 |
| Over 255 | £2,745 | £190 |
Understanding how to calculate fuel costs accurately is essential for budgeting journey expenses and comparing the true running costs of different vehicles. UK fuel prices fluctuate based on crude oil prices, exchange rates, and government duty, but you can always calculate costs using a simple formula.
Fuel Cost Formula: (Distance in miles ÷ MPG) × Price per litre × 4.546
For metric calculations: (Distance in km ÷ km per litre) × Price per litre
| Fuel Type | Typical Price (Jan 2025) | Duty per Litre | VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unleaded Petrol | £1.35 - £1.45 | 52.95p | 20% |
| Super Unleaded (E5) | £1.50 - £1.60 | 52.95p | 20% |
| Diesel | £1.40 - £1.50 | 52.95p | 20% |
| Premium Diesel | £1.55 - £1.65 | 52.95p | 20% |
| LPG (Autogas) | £0.70 - £0.85 | 28.88p | 20% |
If you use your personal vehicle for business travel, you can claim mileage expenses at HMRC-approved rates. These rates are designed to cover all running costs including fuel, wear and tear, insurance, and depreciation. Employers can pay up to these rates tax-free; if they pay less, employees can claim Mileage Allowance Relief.
| Vehicle Type | First 10,000 miles | Over 10,000 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Cars and vans | 45p per mile | 25p per mile |
| Motorcycles | 24p per mile | 24p per mile |
| Bicycles | 20p per mile | 20p per mile |
| Passenger payments | 5p per mile per passenger (business journeys) | |
Electric vehicles offer significant running cost savings despite often higher purchase prices. Understanding the full picture helps you make an informed decision about whether switching to electric makes financial sense for your driving patterns.
The MOT (Ministry of Transport) test is an annual safety inspection required for vehicles over three years old in the UK. The test checks the roadworthiness of your vehicle across numerous criteria. Understanding what's tested can help you prepare and potentially avoid costly failures.
| Vehicle Type | Maximum MOT Fee | Typical Price | First MOT Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars (up to 8 passengers) | £54.85 | £30-£45 | 3 years old |
| Motorcycles | £29.65 | £25-£30 | 3 years old |
| Motor tricycles | £37.80 | £30-£38 | 3 years old |
| Goods vehicles (up to 3,000kg) | £58.60 | £50-£59 | 3 years old |
| Motorhomes | £54.85 - £58.60 | £45-£59 | 3 years old |
Getting the best exchange rate can save significant money on overseas travel. Understanding the different options and their typical margins helps you plan your travel budget more accurately.
| Exchange Method | Typical Margin | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel cards (Wise, Revolut) | 0-0.5% | Best rates, convenient | Need to set up account |
| Online bureaux de change | 1-2% | Good rates, home delivery | Planning required |
| High street bureaux | 2-4% | Immediate availability | Poor rates |
| Bank currency order | 3-5% | Trusted provider | Poor rates |
| Airport bureaux | 5-10% | Last-minute convenience | Worst rates |
| Using UK debit card abroad | 2.5-3% | No planning needed | Fees add up |
Since Brexit, there are additional considerations when driving your UK-registered vehicle in European Union countries. While most requirements have been simplified, it's important to understand what you need before travelling.
UK car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) for 2025/26 depends on CO2 emissions and registration date. Cars registered after April 2017 pay based on CO2 in the first year (£10 to over £2,700), then a standard rate of £190 for all fuel types including electric (new from April 2025). Cars with a list price over £40,000 pay an additional £410 for years 2-6 of ownership.
To calculate fuel cost: (Journey miles ÷ Miles per gallon) × Price per litre × 4.546. For example, a 200-mile journey at 40 MPG with fuel at £1.40 per litre costs: (200÷40) × £1.40 × 4.546 = £31.82. Our fuel calculator does this automatically and uses current UK petrol and diesel prices for accurate estimates.
The maximum MOT fee is set by DVSA at £54.85 for cars and £29.65 for motorcycles. However, many garages charge less to attract customers - typical prices range from £30-£45 for cars. The MOT tests vehicle roadworthiness including brakes, lights, tyres, emissions, steering, suspension, and bodywork. Cars need their first MOT at 3 years old, then annually thereafter.
Yes, typically 3-4 times cheaper per mile. Home charging on a standard tariff costs approximately 7-9 pence per mile, versus 12-18 pence for petrol. Using an EV-specific overnight tariff can reduce this to 2-4 pence per mile. Annual savings of £1,000-£1,500 are common for average mileage (12,000 miles). EVs also have lower servicing costs and are exempt from the London Congestion Charge. However, public rapid charging is significantly more expensive at 40-80p per kWh.
Exchange rates fluctuate constantly based on economic conditions and market sentiment. GBP/EUR typically ranges between 1.15-1.20, meaning £1 buys approximately €1.15-€1.20. Banks and bureaux de change add margins of 2-5% to the mid-market rate. For the best rates, use fee-free travel cards like Wise or Revolut, compare online services, and avoid airport exchanges which typically offer the worst rates.
HMRC Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) for using your own vehicle for business travel are: Cars and vans - 45p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles, then 25p per mile thereafter. Motorcycles - 24p per mile (all miles). Bicycles - 20p per mile. You can also claim 5p per mile per passenger carried on business journeys. These rates cover all vehicle running costs.
No, a green card is no longer required for most EU and EEA countries since 2 August 2021. However, you must carry your motor insurance certificate proving you have valid European cover, plus your V5C vehicle registration document. Your number plates should display 'UK' or you need a separate UK sticker. An International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required in some countries - check specific requirements before travel.
Home charging on a standard tariff costs around 28-34p per kWh (approximately £11-14 for a full 40kWh charge, giving 150-160 miles). EV-specific overnight tariffs can reduce this to 7-10p per kWh (£3-4 per charge). Public rapid chargers cost significantly more at 40-80p per kWh (£16-32 for the same charge). Some destinations, workplaces, and supermarkets offer free charging. A typical EV achieves approximately 4 miles per kWh.