Driving in London has always come with a price tag, but that price has been climbing steadily — and for owners of older, less efficient cars, the increases are starting to add up to a genuine decision point.

Quick answer: London drivers now face several charges that stack on top of each other — river crossing tolls, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) daily charge, and the Congestion Charge in central London. None of these charges is large on its own, but for an older, non-compliant car driven regularly, the combined annual cost can outweigh the value of keeping the car at all.

What's Driving Up the Cost of Driving in London

Tunnel and river crossing tolls

Crossings such as the Blackwall Tunnel and Silvertown Tunnel charge Auto Pay users a per-crossing fee, with higher rates at peak times and for larger vehicles. These tolls have risen in recent years, and operators should check Transport for London's official tolls page for current rates, since charges are reviewed periodically.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

ULEZ charges a daily fee to drivers of vehicles that don't meet emissions standards — generally Euro 4 for petrol cars (most models from 2005 onward) and Euro 6 for diesel cars (most models from September 2015 onward). Non-compliant vehicles are charged £12.50 a day, which can total well over £1,000 a year for daily drivers.

The Congestion Charge

Vehicles entering central London on weekdays face a separate daily Congestion Charge, on top of any ULEZ fee, for driving in the zone regardless of emissions status.

Why These Charges Hit Older Cars Hardest

Newer cars are more likely to meet ULEZ emissions standards, so their owners avoid that charge entirely. Older cars are more likely to be non-compliant, meaning their owners pay ULEZ and tolls and the Congestion Charge where applicable — while also facing higher fuel consumption, more frequent repairs, and rising insurance premiums as the car ages. Each charge is a separate line item, but for an old car, they compound.

How to Work Out If Your Car Is Still Worth Keeping

A simple way to check is to add up, over a full year:

• Toll charges for your typical routes

• ULEZ charges, if your car doesn't comply

• Congestion Charge days, if relevant

• Fuel costs at current prices

• MOT and repair costs from the last 12 months

• Insurance premium

If that total is climbing year on year and starting to rival what the car itself is worth, it's a strong sign the car is no longer paying for itself.

What to Do If the Numbers Don't Add Up

If the running costs outweigh the car's usefulness, scrapping it is often more straightforward than trying to sell privately, particularly for older or non-compliant vehicles that are harder to sell on. A licensed Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) will pay a fair, market-rate price, collect the car for free, and handle the DVLA paperwork — including the Certificate of Destruction that formally ends your liability for the vehicle. Brits Car Breakers, a licensed London ATF, offers free collection and same-day payment across all London boroughs, which is worth checking before committing to another year of tolls, ULEZ charges, and repairs on a car that's no longer earning its keep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay both ULEZ and the Congestion Charge?

Yes. They're separate charges. Driving a non-compliant vehicle in central London during charging hours means paying both.

How do I know if my car meets ULEZ standards?

Petrol cars generally need to meet Euro 4 (most cars from 2005 onward), and diesel cars need Euro 6 (most cars from September 2015 onward). Check your vehicle's exact status via the official ULEZ vehicle checker.

Is it cheaper to retrofit an old car than to pay ULEZ charges?

It depends on the vehicle. Retrofitting can be costly and isn't available for every model, so it's worth comparing the retrofit cost against the ULEZ charges you'd pay over a year or two.

What happens to a car once it's scrapped?

A licensed ATF depollutes the vehicle, removes reusable parts, and recycles the remaining materials, then issues a Certificate of Destruction to the DVLA to close the vehicle's record.