When this article was first written, the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone to the whole of Greater London was still a proposal. It happened. Since 29 August 2023 the ULEZ has covered all 32 London boroughs and the City of London, and this page has been rewritten to reflect what is actually in force.
A non-compliant vehicle costs £12.50 a day to drive anywhere inside Greater London. The zone operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day. The charge is per day, not per journey, so several trips in one day cost the same as one.
Most cars already are. As a rule of thumb:
Those dates are a guide rather than a guarantee: what matters is the emissions standard the individual vehicle meets, not its registration year. Always check the specific registration on Transport for London's vehicle checker before you rely on it.
Two charges are often confused. ULEZ is emissions-based and covers all of Greater London. The Congestion Charge applies only to Central London, during its operating hours, and it applies regardless of how clean your car is. It rose to £18 on 2 January 2026.
Worth knowing if you are considering an electric car: EVs lost their Congestion Charge exemption at the end of December 2025. An electric car registered for TfL Auto Pay currently receives a 25% discount — £13.50 rather than £18 — and that discount reduces again from March 2030. Electric cars remain free of the ULEZ charge.
If you drive into London with any regularity, ULEZ compliance is worth more than a small saving on the purchase price — £12.50 a day adds up quickly. Every vehicle we sell shows its details on the listing, and we will confirm the ULEZ position of any specific car before you commit. Ask, and we will check the registration for you.
Browse our full range of quality used cars, or talk to our friendly team.