What is a ULEZ compliant vehicle?

What does ULEZ compliance mean?

The term "ULEZ compliant" refers to any vehicle that meets the environmental requirements to enter the Ultra Low Emissions Zone without being charged. The standards apply to all types of vehicles, including cars, vans, trucks, buses and motorcycles. However, the standards for gasoline and diesel engines are different and we will look at them in more detail below.

What is ULES?

Central London is now covered by the ULEZ, an ultra-low emission zone that charges more polluting vehicles daily to enter. The zone is designed to improve air quality by encouraging people to switch to lower emission cars or use public transport, walk or cycle when traveling around London. 

The zone covers a large area bordering the Northern and Southern ring roads, and there are plans to expand it to the M25 motorway. Other cities in the UK, including Bath, Birmingham and Portsmouth, have also implemented similar "clean air" zones, with many others signaling they intend to do so in the coming years. Read more about clean air zones here..

If you live in one of these zones, or are likely to enter one of them, you need to find out if your vehicle is in compliance with the rules and is exempt from tolls. Driving a non-compliant car in the ULEZ can get expensive - in London the fee is £12.50 a day, on top of the congestion charge that applies if you're driving into London's interior, which was £2022 a day in early 15 . Thus, it becomes clear that driving a ULEZ compliant vehicle can save you a lot of money.

More car buying guides

Petrol and diesel cars: what to buy?

Best used hybrid cars

What is a plug-in hybrid car?

Is my vehicle suitable for ULEZ?

To meet ULEZ requirements, your vehicle must emit sufficiently low levels of pollutants in the exhaust gases. You can find out if it meets the required standards using the check tool on the Transport for London website.

ULEZ compliance requirements are based on European emission regulations, which set limits on the amount of various chemicals emitted from a vehicle's exhaust pipe. These chemicals include nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (or soot), which can cause serious respiratory problems such as asthma. 

European standards were first introduced in 1970 and gradually tightened. The Euro 6 standards have already entered into force, and the Euro 7 standard should be introduced in 2025. You can find your vehicle's European emission standard on its V5C registration document. 

To meet ULEZ requirements, petrol vehicles must meet at least Euro 4 standards and diesel vehicles must meet Euro 6 standards. cars are sold new. since September 2005, and some even before this date, comply with Euro-2001 standards.

Electric vehicles and vehicles over 40 years old are also exempt from ULEZ fees.

Are hybrid vehicles ULEZ compliant?

Full hybrid vehicles such as Toyota CHR hybrid and plug-in hybrids such as Mitsubishi Outlander have a petrol or diesel engine, which means they are subject to the same requirements as other petrol and diesel vehicles. Gasoline hybrids must meet at least Euro 4 standards, and diesel hybrids must meet Euro 6 standards in order to meet ULEZ requirements.

Mitsubishi Outlander

You will find a number high-quality, low-emission cars to drive around London available at Cazoo. Use our search tool to find the one that's right for you, then buy it online for delivery to your door or pick it up at one of our Customer Service Centers.

We are constantly updating and expanding our range. If you can't find one within your budget today, check back later to see what's available or set up promotional alerts to be the first to know when we have a low emission vehicle to suit your needs.