TfL ULEZ Checker: frequency of updates?

[jeremyc]

The seller of a car I'm looking to buy has recently changed the registration number.

With the old registration the vehicle met the TfL ULEZ emissions standards according to their online checker.

With the new registration the online checker says that they don't hold details for the vehicle (and explain it could be because of a recent registration change). Other online checkers (MOT, VED etc.) have the correct details for the new registration, and show the correct date for a new V5C having been issued.

How often is the TfL database updated so I can check against the new registration? I've submitted an enquiry to TfL asking the same, but don't hold out much hope of a timely response. I wondered if anyone else had been through the same process.

[Whataguy]

Seems to be updated within a few weeks of owner change.

I bought a V40 diesel Volvo, checked the ULEZ before buying and it was showing as exempt.

Yet, a couple of weeks later it now wasn't

I think some cars that are borderline for the year are only updated when they process new owners but they must be updating the database regularly for this.

[jeremyc]

Online articles seem to think that TfL get monthly updates from DVLA, though they don't say when in the month.

The checker is still showing information for the old registration number, so I guess I've just got to wait until that one disappears and the new one is recognised.

[Tung200]

Did you get any update regarding this?

In the same situation

[jeremyc]

The database was finally updated on 14 August 2023. I did get a further response to my enquiry to TfL to confirm that the vehicle was now ULEZ exempt.

In response to my initial enquiry

TfL on 4 August 2023 said:

The details held on our system are in fact provided from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), however we
don't have a live link to this database, and it is updated periodically. This may be why the vehicles ULEZ compliance
status may have been updated with DVLA but not yet updated with our system. I note the new V5c is dated 14 July
2023 so will not have been updated with us as yet.

Then in response to a further enquiry on 11 August 2023

TfL on 14 August 2023 said:

We can confirm that the vehicle <reg number> meets the required standards, is exempt from the scheme or is subject to a
100% discount. This means you will not need to pay a ULEZ charge to travel in the zone.

[Robertb]

TFL ULEZ data is bks. My car is still showing as chargeable after a private plate change in 2023 despite it being Euro 6 and being exempt before.

Edited by Robertb on Wednesday 8th January 14:30