Would you still be buying your A6 after April 2017?

[Fastfrank]

This had passed me by, but Vehicle tax rates are changing after 1 April next year.
Ignoring the fact that the C8 is expected next year, if you were in the market for an A6 next year, would you still be buying/leasing?
After April the tax on an A6 Ultra S-Line S-Tronic (List price £40,050) will be £490 in the first year, and then £450 a year for the next 4 years before reducing to £140 a year. Not quite as attractive as free in the first year and £30 a year after that.
The tax is based on the CO2 output in the first year but with an additional £310 a year for the first five years if the list price is over £40k, and this is based on the list price not the price you actually pay.
Personally no, I would be buying a Golf R estate as this would be £500 in the first year but would then go down to £140 a year, with the mileage we do it would then not cost very much more to run. (Do I get my man maths award for that?!)
(I think I've got the figures right, feel free to correct me if not).

[Nemo78]

It's an interesting one isn't it as even Tesla go into the higher VED.

I'm intrigued what if anything the manufacturers do to try and offset this as it'll turn some buyers off especially on models on the border I.e base at over £40k or those that specd up hit the £40k cost.

I'm not 100% sure but I think I read somewhere that the actual vehicle price is what attracts the VED not the discounted paid price.

[B5NUT]

Just reading this https://www.carwow.co.uk/news/ved-road-tax-from-2017-0182-2060 but what I don't understand if options are included, or is it the based on the model/engine? it would be a bit poor if the government tax you for adding paint to the car.

The car wow shows on an allroad it would be an extra £665 over three years, and I would have to say if I had the cash then I don't think extra £222 each year would put me off.

[robes401]

The VED band is based on list price plus options. The new system is ridiculous - I'd rather fuel duty was increased and road tax abolished.
So yes you might end up paying and extra few hundred a year for a few years for adding paint!
However I doubt that there is too much sympathy out there for people able to buy a +£40k car! Maybe Audi could get rid of their discounts and just offer the cars at the lower price, or are there too many people who don't realise how big a discount you can get on an A6?!

[Whippy53]

This had passed me by, but Vehicle tax rates are changing after 1 April next year.
Ignoring the fact that the C8 is expected next year, if you were in the market for an A6 next year, would you still be buying/leasing?
After April the tax on an A6 Ultra S-Line S-Tronic (List price £40,050) will be £490 in the first year, and then £450 a year for the next 4 years before reducing to £140 a year. Not quite as attractive as free in the first year and £30 a year after that.
The tax is based on the CO2 output in the first year but with an additional £310 a year for the first five years if the list price is over £40k, and this is based on the list price not the price you actually pay.
Personally no, I would be buying a Golf R estate as this would be £500 in the first year but would then go down to £140 a year, with the mileage we do it would then not cost very much more to run. (Do I get my man maths award for that?!)
(I think I've got the figures right, feel free to correct me if not).
I rather suspect (cos I'm a cynic) that the same car will magically cost £39999.99 at the stroke of midnight. Audi won't want to lose too many sales in the UK after all.

[AlyM]

I rather suspect (cos I'm a cynic) that the same car will magically cost £39999.99 at the stroke of midnight. Audi won't want to lose too many sales in the UK after all.
This or people will find loopholes... I.E. pay the purchase price separately from the options! They'll be ways around it I bet... Will have a big affect on pre registered and demo cars as well... As they tend to add a bit of kit/spec to them as it helps their figures! Time will tell I guess...

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[JohnEx]

This is exactly the position that I am in. Currently I have a 2013 245 quattro Black Edition which has now covered just over 72000 miles so I'm now thinking of changing i.e. ordering soon for March delivery. However, with the C8 due 2017 / 2018 (depending on which report you read) I'm a bit torn whether to order a new current model A6 in order to avoid paying the higher VED or wait for the C8 and end up paying the higher VED although I guess in real terms the higher VED is a relatively small amount when compared to what a new car costs. Still, the W213 E class is available now and I think the new 5 series may be out before the tax change. Hmm, maybe I'll wait...

[Whippy53]

This is exactly the position that I am in. Currently I have a 2013 245 quattro Black Edition which has now covered just over 72000 miles so I'm now thinking of changing i.e. ordering soon for March delivery. However, with the C8 due 2017 / 2018 (depending on which report you read) I'm a bit torn whether to order a new current model A6 in order to avoid paying the higher VED or wait for the C8 and end up paying the higher VED although I guess in real terms the higher VED is a relatively small amount when compared to what a new car costs. Still, the W213 E class is available now and I think the new 5 series may be out before the tax change. Hmm, maybe I'll wait...
I think, at the moment the E Class has the Audi in a corner. Bit more expensive sure, but more tech and a better cabin makes for an attractive proposition. The C8 is going to have to be good to to get my money.

[ukgroucho]

And, of course, it will be a consideration for the folks who traditionally buy 2 or 3 (or 4) year old vehicles. Bottom line is that you buy a 2 year old with a nice spec and it will cost you the best part of an additional £1500 over the next 4 years (£450 a year versus the 'old' road tax).

So what would you do if you were buying second hand? I see a drop in residuals for post April 2017 high spec cars looming...

[Nemo78]

So what would you do if you were buying second hand? I see a drop in residuals for post April 2017 high spec cars looming...

So on the flip do we think the current A6 would hold better on used market post April 17 but then a post April 17 £450 car would be overall a better buy (if that makes any sense)

[istate75]

The change to VED in 2017 finally shows that the CO2 argument was all about money. The sales of hybrids will go off a cliff when you can buy a super 'clean' model or a V8 monster and pay the same VED as long as you are under £40k. Complete madness that a Toyota Prius and Ford Mustang V8 will be the same VED. For me personally, I usually keep my car for about 3 years then change it. I'm dragging my current A6 out and plan to buy a replacement for delivery early next year before the April hike. After that I think I'm going to downsize to something cheaper if no loopholes are found. I'm not willing to give the government nearly £1500 in VED when it was only £60 before, in principle. I'm not worried about waiting for the C8 TBH because I never buy anything within it's 1st year of production.