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Ford Focus Zetec Road Tax Costs: Here’s What You Need To Know


The Ford Focus Zetec is a modern take on the classic, well-loved Ford Focus hatchback and has seen many incarnations over the last decade.
However, the question on any buyer’s mind is the ongoing running costs of the car they choose, including road tax costs. As an essential contributing factor to the ongoing costs of keeping a car, it’s vital to compare the taxation of your new or used car to similar makes and models to decipher the best option for you.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at the tax brackets for the Ford Focus Zetec range and how they factor into the ongoing costs of keeping this vehicle.

 

In this guide:

Find out more about what car tax brackets are, how they work and the costs of taxing a Ford Focus Zetec car

Learn more about how the Ford Focus Zetec tax costs compare to other Ford Focus models

The factors that can affect ongoing tax costs
 

Ford Focus Zetec road tax costs


Depending on the age of the Ford Focus Zetec you’re looking to buy, your car may fall into different tax bands. The latest model uses the updated tax bands for cars produced post-2017, so this is worth bearing in mind when choosing and purchasing your car.
 

How do tax brackets work?

 

The way that cars are taxed depend mainly on the year in which it was registered so this is important to remember when choosing between a new or used car.
 

Car registered between 1st March 2001 – 31st March 2017

 
In recent years, the UK government has changed the way that road tax rates work. For vehicles registered between 1st March 2001 and 31st March 2017, the government uses tax bands labelled A to M. With A being the lowest and M the highest, a vehicle’s tax increases depending on its CO2 emissions as shown on the car’s V5C registration certificate.
For a single 12-month payment, these rates range from £0 for cars with a CO2 emission of 100g/km or lower (Band A) and can go up to £580 for any vehicles with over 255g/km (Band M).

 

Cars registered after April 2017

 
Meanwhile, for vehicles registered after April 2017, the classification is similar. However, the cost increases significantly for cars with higher emissions. The lowest tax rate of £0 per year is reserved for vehicles producing 0g/km, while any vehicle over 255g/km costs £2,175 to tax. This classification system applies to the newest Focus Zetec edition released in 2020.
 

Tax brackets for your Ford Focus Zetec


Depending on the model of Zetec you choose, your tax bracket will vary. Here are some of the most popular models and their road tax brackets:
 

New Ford Focus Zetec tax costs (2018 onwards)

 
All Ford Focus Zetec car registered in 2018 and onwards, fall into tax band E, F G and H which means they have an annual tax cost of £150.
 

Ford Focus Zetec tax costs from 2011-2018

 
 
Model Tax cost per year Tax Band
Focus Zetec 1.5 5 door £0 A
Focus Zetec 1.0 EcoBoost 5 door
 
£20 B
Focus Zetec 1.6 5 door
 
£20 B
Focus Zetec 1.0 Ecoboost 5 door Auto
 
£125 D
Focus Zetec 2.0 5 door
 
£125 D
 
 
In addition to paying your tax in full for the whole year, you can also make monthly payments or 6-monthly payments.

 

How does the Ford Focus Zetec compare to other Ford Focus models?

 

The Ford Focus Titanium edition, with a 1.5L engine and 5 doors, emits 11g/km, so sits in the same £175 tax bracket as the latest Zetec. Comparatively, the Focus ST edition has a 2.3L. engine so sits in the slightly higher tax bracket of £870 per year with a 183g/km emission rate.
The Ford Focus ST-Line’s 1.5L, 5 door model sits in the same £175 tax bracket as the Zetec and Titanium editions with a 114g/km CO2 rate.

 

Factors to consider when taxing your Ford Focus Zetec

 

To understand the ongoing tax costs of your car, it’s important to understand why tax costs can differ so much. As the UK Government continue to update road tax bands and costs, understanding the factors that contribute to these classifications can help you to anticipate the ongoing costs of maintaining your car.
Low road tax is desirable and, the key to reaching these lower tax bands lies with CO2 emissions. Several factors can contribute to this rate, so explore the exact specification of your car before purchasing.
The following factors can affect tax costs:

 

New or used?

 

The age of your car has a huge impact on the tax band it’s placed into. Older cars tend to have a higher CO2 emission rate which can raise the car’s road tax classification. It’s vital to balance the savings of buying a used car with the potential ongoing costs.
When buying a used car, it’s also important to check factors such as the mileage and service history, as these could offer an indication of potential additional costs.

 

Fuel type

 

Whether your car uses petrol or diesel is a significant consideration when factoring in road tax to your ongoing costs. For example, for post-2017 diesel cars that do not meet the Real Driving Emissions 2 (RDE2) standard, you will have to pay higher rates for your road tax.
 

Engine size

 

Emission rates are greatly affected by engine size. For example, we’ve already seen that the 1.8L 3 door Focus Zetec falls into a higher tax bracket than the 1.6L 3 door model. The larger your engine, the higher the emission rate and, therefore, the higher the price of your road tax.