Majority of drivers cannot afford £12.50 Ulez charge days before Sadiq Khan's mega expansion
One in five drivers are still looking to sell their vehicles before the Ulez expansion
PA
One in five Londoners are still planning to sell their car in the final days before the Ultra Low Emission Zone expands next week.
New data has found that up to 780,000 motorists are still thinking about getting rid of their non-compliant petrol or diesel vehicle before the August 29 expansion.
While people are optimistic that the vehicles will sell, 42 per cent of drivers said they were worried that they wouldn’t receive a good price for their car.
The current price of a used car is £17,819, with data also showing that the value of vehicles between 10 and 15 years old has grown by 11 per cent.
The Ulez expansion will take place on August 29
PA
Auto Trader figures show that the average value of an older car is £6,629, although not all vehicles will cost the same amount based on their condition.
More than one-third of Londoners said they were deeply concerned about the impact that the expansion would have on their own personal finances.
According to the data, a majority of people (52 per cent) with non-compliant cars who live in the zone said they wouldn’t be able to afford the daily £12.50 charge when it expands.
The Ulez will cover Greater London, with an estimated five million extra people included inside the expanded zone.
Alex Buttle, co-founder of Motorway, commented on the data, saying used car prices are continuing to fluctuate even with the Ulez expansion less than a week away.
He said that many drivers in and around the capital still had a choice to make of whether they choose to try and sell their car for a high price or not.
Even if the vehicles are not compliant, drivers in smaller towns and cities around the country would likely be interested in buying a vehicle.
With the slim chance of these areas introducing a form of emissions-based charging zone, some motorists could have a bargain on their hands.
Alex Buttle added: "In the final days leading up to the expansion date, we are seeing car values changing, with the price of some compliant models going up due to demand.
"And while non-compliant cars could see a drop in value, much of the UK still sits outside of Clean Air Zones, so with the UK used car market as strong as it is, there will still be willing buyers for these non-compliant models.
"So just because you’re living in the extended ULEZ, your car could still be in demand elsewhere in the country and therefore still attract a great price."
Transport for London recently changed eligibility rules allowing all Londoners with non-compliant cars to apply for a £2,000 grant through its scrappage scheme.
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Non-compliant vehicles in Greater London will need to pay £12.50 to drive in the capital
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Businesses, sole traders and charities also benefitted from the scrappage scheme expansion, with TfL potentially providing up to £27,000 in additional funding to switch to a cleaner vehicle.
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