Budget 2026 was published on 28 October. Its motoring measures provide useful context, but a valuation still depends on the particular vehicle and current market evidence.
What the Budget actually said
The temporary 5p-per-litre fuel-duty cut and planned RPI increase were extended or deferred to 1 July 2027. That is a dated tax position, not a promise about pump prices.
Electric Vehicle Excise Duty was originally announced at Budget 2025 and is planned from April 2028. Initial rates are 3p per mile for fully electric cars and 1.5p for plug-in hybrid cars. It is not currently collected, and vans are outside its initial scope.
Check the Budget 2026 document and eVED response.
Running costs can influence demand
Buyers compare fuel or charging, insurance, tax, reliability and maintenance alongside price. A policy change can alter one assumption, but drivers respond differently according to mileage and charging access.
Electric cars need model-specific assessment
Battery condition, warranty, practical range, charging speed, specification and supply differ between models. One mileage charge cannot be converted into a defensible depreciation percentage for every EV.
Condition and history remain central
Mileage, service records, MOT history, tyres, bodywork, mechanical faults, keys and outstanding finance continue to matter. A documented car is easier to assess than one with gaps or unexplained warning lights.
Use a current valuation, not a headline
A current valuation can consider the actual registration, specification, mileage and condition. It is more useful than assuming that every petrol car rises when fuel duty is frozen or every EV falls because a future charge is planned.