Motorists can check if they need to splash out up to £150 more in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) car tax bills this year in seconds using a simple tool. The quick number plate checker will tell how much CO2 their vehicle emits and what car tax band they fall into. 

It comes after DVLA VED fees went up on April 1 for almost all petrol, diesel and electric car owners, with hefty hikes for many. Cars first registered between 2001 and 2017 pay VED charges based on a car’s total emissions, with price rises sitting on a sliding scale. Breakdown experts at the AA has warned some road users falling under this system will face a "major financial shock". Jack Cousens, spokesperson for the AA said: "VED changes and future increases threaten a major financial shock to the finances of millions of car owners whose vehicles are still paying VED under the 2001-2017 CO2-banded system.  

"For those with ageing low-CO2 small family and city cars, the transition to the current standard VED rate could see a hike of £150 or more a year on their motoring tax. 

"With the average car currently paying £436.84 in fuel duty a year – or £524.21 when VAT is added at the pump – a £150 increase in the VED they will pay represents a 34% hike (29% with VAT) on top of what they are paying in fuel duty."

Government data has suggested that 58% of drivers in the UK are paying tax on the older CO2 emissions-based fees which apply to older vehicles.

Using WeBuyAnyCar’s free online number plate checker, road users can quickly find out the engine size (cc), power (kw) and CO2 (g/km) of their model. 

This can help motorists quickly identify how much they will pay in VED over the next 12 months. The number plate checker also informs road users of tax status, tax due date and MOT history.

It means road users will not run the risk of letting their car tax expire without renewing it before the deadline.

VED prices are also up for new petrol, diesel and electric models registered after 2017 with standard fees up from £190 to £195. 

Meanwhile, vehicles registered between 1985 and 2001 will pay up to £20 more in VED fees with prices calculated based on the size of their engine.