ULEZ exempt cars list
Introduced in 2019, the London Ultra Low Emission Zone, otherwise known as ULEZ is an initiative created to help lower air pollution. It does this by charging high emission vehicles £12.50 a day levy, which is in force every day of the year, apart from Christmas day.
As of 2023, all 32 London boroughs are included, meaning a further five million people are affected if their car didn't meet the criteria.
Petrol vehicles that do not meet Euro 4 standards and diesel vehicles that do not meet Euro 6 standards are required to pay ULEZ. These are usually petrol cars and vans that are pre-2006 or diesel cars and vans pre 2015.
Below we list our used car picks for 2025 that are ULEZ exempt:
- Volkswagen Golf
- MINI Hatchback
- Renault 5
- Kia Sportage
- BMW 3 Series
- Renault Scenic E-Tech
- Porsche 911
- BYD Seal
- Alpine A110
- Ford Puma
Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf is the textbook answer for a car that can do it all. Practical, stylish, refined, well-built, frugal, easy to drive and truly iconic, the Golf ticks every box. There's plenty of model choice too, with the GTI being arguably the pick of the bunch, being a car that can blend in anywhere, whether its in a supermarket car park, or outside a posh hotel.
There's more choice when opting for a petrol Golf as you can go back to the much loved and still hugely dependable MK5 variant, whilst still keeping in the post 2005 cut off for ULEZ.
Diesel models are great if you do big mileage in and outside London, and go for post 2015 to comply with ULEZ. The GTD is the pick of the diesels, essentially being a diesel GTI, whilst the ultimate Golf full stop, the R (pictured above), offers all-wheel drive, perfect for deploying high performance all year round no matter the weather.
Search Used Volkswagen GolfMINI Hatchback
If there was a car that was ideal for London, the MINI would probably be it. Like the Golf, the MINI looks right at home anywhere, and does so with charm and sophistication. There's plenty of choice, and lots of scope for customisation to make the car your own.
And let's not forget the classic MINI go-kart feel, making them fun to drive and properly easy to navigate the London streets and beyond with ease. Escape the big smoke and the MINI will shine on country roads, especially in Cooper S or JCW spec.
Electric MINI models still manage to keep the character alive, and are ideal if you're staying within the ULEZ zone all the time thanks to their relaxing almost silent nature, but still playful driving experience.
Search Used MINIRenault 5
Renault have now joined in on a modern take of a classic, and they have done an excellent job with the new 5. Being electric it's free from the congestion charge, and due to its near silent operation and compact proportions, it will be fun yet relaxing navigating the capital, and when it's time to leave, with up to 250 miles of range possible, the 5 should be pretty easy to live with.
Like the MINI, its retro vibes have been propelled into the modern era and it will look properly trendy on the streets of the capital. However, if you wanted a posher and more dynamic version, then a used Alpine A290 is essentially that.
You can find bold paint choices like yellow and green on the 5, or dial it back and go for a sleeker look with black paint also on offer, giving the 5 a more sophisticated look.
Search Used Renault 5Kia Sportage
Of course, with SUVs being the most popular car in the UK, you've surely got to have one of the best on the list. The Kia Sportage is just that, offering excellent practicality, style, value and popularity, and despite its larger proportions, it's still an easy car to drive.
When buying used you'll more than likely still have a chunk of the generous 7-year warranty left, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced peace of mind, making family life that little bit easier.
There's also the choice of two-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive versions, meaning you can find used Sportage models to fit your lifestyle.
Search Used Kia SportageBMW 3 Series
Similar to the VW Golf, the BMW 3 Series is a textbook car for the perfect all-rounder. It's refined, well-made, stylish, great to drive, economical and fast. There's even the legendary M3 variant if you want next levels of high performance.
That said, any 3 Series would be an ideal tool for London. It's sophisticated, comfortable and will look good in any situation. Older models, especially petrol variants are ageing well, and are still a great used buy. It's a shame the even older ones don't qualify for ULEZ though, as before you could often spot older E36 and E30 models in fantastic condition, but now of course, these cars have either been locked up or stay parked up.
Search Used BMW 3 SeriesRenault Scenic E-Tech
The Renault Scenic used to be a MPV family bus, but today, it's evolved into a handsome SUV. Perfect then, for tackling family life.
The Scenic E-Tech is fully-electric too, meaning its electric nature gives a sound foundation for a family car that's easy to drive in a big congested city like London, but not massive that it becomes a headache.
There's at least 260 miles of range to play with, which rises to over 300 depending on conditions, so there's plenty of range to play with before you'll need to charge. And the capital has multiple charging options on offer, too.
Search Used Renault Scenic E-TechPorsche 911
The Porsche 911 is the world's most iconic sports car. One of the reasons it's so iconic is the fact it can be used daily with minimal fuss getting over speedbumps and dealing with traffic, which is usually a massive headache with cars that offer this level of performance.
You could argue the need for a sports car in London, but the 911 is so compliant in settling down and just being a fine car to drive, and when the road takes you out of London, the magic of a Porsche 911 will have you grinning from ear to ear. It's no wonder you see quite a few 911 models dotted around London.
Search Used Porsche 911BYD Seal
BYD continue to impress with their ever-expanding model range, and the Seal is a fantastic all-rounder that can steer buyers away from the likes of Tesla and even German electric alternatives. Why? Because the Seal does so in a sophisticated and slick manner. It offers decent practicality, performance and range for not a lot of money when compared to rivals.
0 to 62mph takes just 3.8 seconds in the all-wheel drive 'Excellence' variant, whilst the standard 'Design' version isn't slow taking 5.9 seconds.
With between 323 and 354 miles of range, along with plenty of cutting-edge tech to make London driving a doddle, the BYD Seal could be a great choice when looking to buy used.
Search Used BYD SealAlpine A110
Is the Porsche 911 too mainstream? Still want a sports car that's easy to drive in a congested city, but can come alive when you escape the city centre, then the Alpine A110 may be ideal for you, plus it will look cool on the trendier streets of London.
Alpine's lightweight mantra makes the A110 a great driver's car, and despite having an automatic transmission, it's still a car for those who like the feel of the overall drive, rather than just mental 0 to 62mph times, although the A110 isn't exactly slow taking 4.5 seconds in the standard model.
There are limited edition versions too, so if you like ultra-limited cars, maybe a limited edition A110 could be right up your street.
Search Used Alpine A110Ford Puma
With the Puma taking the reins of the discontinued Fiesta now that everyone is buying SUVs, the Puma is yet another textbook car on our list. It's easy to drive, has plenty of essentials like Apple CarPlay and the like come standard, it's not expensive to run and can easily go under the radar yet still look stylish in doing so. Ideal for those who want a trendy crossover SUV but not want to shout about it.
Being a Ford, maintenance is affordable and it's easy to drive, perfect for dealing with tight London streets. There's even a hot ST version for those who want a bit of poke when out and about too.
Search Used Ford PumaFind your perfect used car at Evans Halshaw
With a comprehensive portfolio of used cars, from a selection of the world's most popular manufacturers, you're sure to find the used car that perfectly suits you at Evans Halshaw.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Rising concerns about vehicle emissions in cities led to something called the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), which was introduced in the first half of 2019.
In essence, if your car doesn't meet certain emissions standards, then you'll get charged £12.50 a day to drive in the ULEZ. Currently, the ULEZ only operates within London.
This depends on the vehicle and the engine it has, but the general rule of thumb is as follows:
- Euro 6 diesels - mostly those registered after September 2015.
- Euro 4 petrols - most cars registered after 2005, although some as early as 2001 depending on the model.
- Electric cars and hybrids - these are exempt.
