Tax implications

[Simpo Two]

It may be time to move on from my 2001 S-Type but I don't want to fall into any unforeseen tax traps.

As it stands (I think) in a year or two, if it was registered after March 2001 the VED will be £400. However I've seen that some X-Types (Eurodiesel?) would actually be cheaper then.

Can anyone tell me if the changes are actually going to happen, because if so it may well influence my choice of S or X, and petrol or diesel. Are there any S-Types that fall into the cheapo category or would I have to get an X-Type? I suppose a 2.0 diesel is the least expensive, but will it seem rubbish after a 3.0 petrol?

The car is privately run, not company, and I do about 10,000 miles a year.

[Alfa_75_Steve]

This link will help:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/road-tax/

Basically, you're looking at a Euro 4 S-Type diesel to minimise tax costs (They remain at £210).

Appears this was only available for 1 year, in 2005.

Earlier cars go to £270 / year and later cars appear to go to £310.

Can't help but think they've made it overly complex.

[Jaguar steve]

Mmmm.. all very well making plans for a future car purchase taking into consideration potential plans for taxation...but...can you really trust any politician not to change current policy, or the ecomentalists to force another change in direction. Who, for example could have predicted the contreversial backdated changes in VED announced last year for example, or oil at $140 a barrel - which is raking in a fortune in VAT for The Badger and his buddies?

[Simpo Two]

Indeed, but one can only assume the worst - taxes will go up, not down. I hate having to kowtow to the greenies - if running costs were no object I'd have an XJ8 - but the prospect of saving cash whilst still having a decenter-than-average car is appealing...