How much is your old road tax disc worth?
Some examples are fetching up to £1,000 online
It’s been three years since road tax discs were consigned to the history books but collectors are paying hundreds of pounds to get their hands on some examples online.
Since the online-only system replaced the paper disc format in 2014, motorists have been busy flogging their old tax certificates on Ebay. Some examples are fetching up to £1,000.
Tax discs first appeared in 1921 and remained remarkably similar until the paper certificate was dropped in 2015. While the first examples were black and white, all versions of the tax disc over its 94-year history displayed the car’s make, model and registration number.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Here’s how to tell if you have a collectable tax disc:
What makes a tax disc valuable?
A total of 1.7 billion tax discs have been issued since 1921, but only examples produced in limited numbers, or launched during a certain time period, have gone up in value.
Among the most collectable tax discs are those purchased in 1921, the Daily Express says, as this was the first year the paper system came into effect.
Another significant period for the tax disc was 2003, the newspaper says. This was the first year the paper certificate came with a bar code.
Early versions of triangular tax certificates, which were used for vehicles fitted with trade number plates, could also be worth a small fortune. One example from 1931 is currently listed on Ebay for £1,000.
Tax discs sold in bulk can also sell for three figure sums, The Sun reports, as can examples that are still mounted in a selvedge border from which they are usually removed prior to display.
Certificates for public transport vehicles, such as buses and taxis, are also popular among collectors, the paper says. This is because they are “typically rarer” than those for privately-owned cars.
How much are they worth?
The most expensive single tax disc currently on offer is the £1,000 triangular certificate used for trade vehicles. The next, an example issued on 31 October 2014 – the final month that displaying the disc was mandatory – is significantly cheaper at £250.
Discs sold in bulk have a higher price tag. A set of certificates, dated from 2004 to 2015, registered to the same car currently has a “buy it now” figure of £799. A similar batch, ranging from 2006 to 2015, is also available for £400.
These discs still have some way to go to set the record for the sale of a tax certificate. According to The Daily Telegraph, one example dated from September 1921 sold for £1,087.80 in 2014.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The pros and cons of a tourist tax
Pros and Cons Visitor levies can boost tourism but a lack of transparency troubles critics
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why celebrities are calling for a ‘gadget tax’
Why Everyone’s Talking About The scheme could generate £250-£300m for the arts, say backers
By The Week Staff Published
-
Conservative Party Conference: £25bn set aside for major road upgrades
In Depth Funds from taxpayer and borrowing will be used to improve 14 English routes
By The Week Staff Published
-
New cars and motoring laws 2019: Brexit impact, car tax and more
In Depth Recent changes may have a major impact on drivers over the next 12 months
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Budget 2018: Philip Hammond confirms pothole repair fund and fuel tax freeze
Speed Read Chancellor commits almost £30bn to repair and maintain Britain’s ageing roads
By The Week Staff Published
-
Car scrappage schemes 2018: which offer the best value?
In Depth Large discounts are on offer if you trade in a pre-2010 diesel car
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Diesel car sales set to plummet further in 2018
Speed Read Confusion over the Government’s ‘anti-diesel rhetoric’ blamed for slump in market
By The Week Staff Published
-
Diesel fallout blamed for rise in new car CO2 emissions
Speed Read Negativity around the fuel has pushed buyers towards petrol cars
By The Week Staff Last updated