Annabelle Clarke

PR Manager

Annabelle Clarke | Author

Eduardo Rodrigues

Content Writer

Claudia Tuñón

Isobel Coughlan

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Alastair Shephard

The ULEZ, or ultra-low emission zone, was expanded in August 2023 to include all of Greater London. This change affected millions of drivers in the city, meaning they would have to pay a daily charge or replace their vehicles. 

As the ULEZ restrictions are based on emissions, we set out to ask if it’s possible to make your car ULEZ-compliant and if it’s even worth the hassle. Keep reading for the latest low-emission zone news and tips to enhance your car for the new rules.

Unfortunately, there are no approved ULEZ modification methods available that don’t require costly emissions testing afterwards. 

ULEZ restrictions are based on a car's emissions, which can be modified. However, our experience in garages shows it's not worth trying to make your car ULEZ-compliant unless you have a lot of money to spare.

How much does it cost to make my car ULEZ-compliant?

Making your car ULEZ-compliant is very costly and not advised. Usually, it’s more economical to replace your car with a ULEZ-compliant option.

However, we’ve collected a few general estimates to help you navigate costs:

Note that LPG conversions don’t guarantee ULEZ compliance. Likewise, all costs vary depending on car make and model. 

If your van has a diesel engine and is Euro 5 rated, you may be able to modify it to be compliant.

 systems can reduce the emissions enough to be below the ULEZ standard, 

but the van would need extensive testing to formally re-classify it. 

There is a scheme set up by the government called the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme or CVRAS. This body approves systems for retrofitting older vehicles to reduce their emissions without needing subsequent emissions testing after. 

To find out if your van is eligible, check out the CVRAS site 

How much does it cost to make my van ULEZ-compliant?

If your van can be fitted with a CVRAS-approved system, it will likely 

So, unless your van is indispensable due to other modifications or features, it may still be worth replacing it entirely. 

If your car is not compliant, there isn’t much you can do to avoid paying ULEZ.

But there are a few options for alternative transport. Check out our guide 

To drive in the ULEZ, you'll need to pay £12.50 per day.

The charge applies year-round, 24/7, except on Christmas Day when ULEZ and Congestion charges are waived. Charges run from midnight to midnight, so if you drive in the zone from 23:45 to 00:15, you'll be charged twice.

How can I check if my car is ULEZ-compliant? 

Thankfully there are more definitive ways to check if your car is compliant than having to check its emission or Euro status. 

Transport for London has an online checking service, where you enter your registration plate and receive information on what charges you will have to pay.

 to check if your car is ULEZ-compliant. 

What cars are affected by the ULEZ Expansion?

Most petrol cars produced before 2006 and most Diesel cars made before 2015 will be subject to ULEZ fees. 

EVs and hybrids are all exempt, and drivers who hold a ‘blue badge’ are afforded a grace period until 2017.

For more info on what cars and why are affected, read our extensive guide on 

You can make some changes to your car, but for most drivers in the UK, there is no cost-effective way to make your car ULEZ-compliant. The story is different for vans, as explained at the start of this blog. 

Will an LPG system make my car ULEZ-compliant?

LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas, is an alternative fuel for petrol cars. It requires a separate gas tank and modifications to the car’s fuel injection system.

converting to LPG does not reclassify your car's emissions standard 

and will not make your vehicle ULEZ compliant.

However, LPG can reduce your road tax (VED) and lower fuel costs. Installation costs for an LPG system exceed £1,500, so you’ll need to calculate if the savings are worth the investment.

Unfortunately, the situation is similar for older petrol and diesel cars. Currently, no CVRAS-approved systems are available. 

However, depending on your car's age, it might already be ULEZ-exempt.

Cars that are 40 years old qualify for historic classification

 with the DVLA, making them exempt from road tax (VED) and ULEZ charges.

a car’s registration year isn’t a key factor in ULEZ compliance. 

Rather, a car must meet the Euro 4 emission standards. Nearly all 

meet these. Also, petrol cars that meet Euro 5 and 6 standards are exempt from charges.

Diesel cars must meet Euro 6 standards to be ULEZ compliant. Most

 diesel cars registered after September 2015 pass this test

So that’s the roundup on making your car ULEZ compliant, with the unfortunate conclusion that it often isn’t worth the cost for most people.

Instead, consider alternatives like taking public transportation or upgrading to a ULEZ-compliant vehicle. Always weigh these options before committing to an expensive conversion or new car purchase.

Looking for a ULEZ-compliant car? For some ideas on what ULEZ car to buy, 

, you can spread the cost of any repairs at no extra cost. Apply for a credit limit and find a reliable service partner today.

has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Can I Make My Car ULEZ Compliant?

From the 29th August, the ULEZ zone now extends to all London Boroughs and the City of London. But what does this mean for motorists living in London or wishing to travel into the city by car? 

In this blog, we explain what the ULEZ is, why it's in place and how you need to navigate the fees when driving your car in or around the city. We also let you in on the top ULEZ-compliant cars and vans so you can check whether that new buy is worth it or not. 

The Ultra Low Emissions Zone is an area in 

 (and other UK cities) with restrictions on what type of vehicle can drive within it, in order to reduce emissions. If a car is not compliant, it can still drive inside the zone but will incur a charge. 

Because the ULEZ is intended to reduce emissions within the city of London, the criteria is based on how polluting a vehicle is, not by its age, this is determined by its Euro rating. 

The Euro rating required to be compliant is listed below: 

What are the Euro 5 and Euro 6 Standards? 

From 1992 the EU has mandated the level of emissions new cars can emit, based on both Co2 (Carbon Dioxide) and Nox (Nitrous Oxides) emissions. 

The levels have evolved over the years, meaning manufacturers were required to improve and update their cars as time went on. Below are the years the new standards were implemented: 

From this, and the ULEZ requirements above we can see that broadly any petrol car made in 2006 and any Diesel car made in 2015 or later is compliant. 

If your car is older than 2006/2015, it might still meet the ULEZ standard, as some cars met the emissions regulations earlier than mandated. 

If your car is not ULEZ compliant, the daily charge is £12.50. This applies to every day of the year except Christmas Day (25th December). 

The charging period runs from midnight to midnight, meaning if you drive into the zone at 11:30 PM, and leave at half past midnight, you will have to pay a total of £25.00. 

What happens if you don't pay the ULEZ Charge? 

ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras operate in places all around the area that constantly scan for cars that do not meet the ULEZ standard. If a car is spotted, and the fee is not paid within three days, you will be issued with a £180 fine. 

The fine is reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. 

From the above data it would seem that the ULEZ rules are quite a bit more lenient on Petrol cars than Diesel, so why is this? 

Euro ratings are more heavily affected by the Nox emissions, so whilst modern 

 trap much of the exhaust emissions, those made before 2015 do not usually trap enough Nox. Petrol cars have catalytic converters that trap Nox and convert it to less harmful compounds, but catalytic converters cannot be fitted to a diesel engine. 

Is it Worth Buying a ULEZ-Compliant Car? 

So we’ve established that in order to drive into the ultra-low emissions zone, without paying the fee, your car needs to meet the standards above, but what if you don’t live inside the zone? 

Thanks to the ULEZ regulations, secondhand cars that are compliant are often around 25-30% more expensive than those that aren't, meaning it could cost you considerably more to sell your car for an upgrade. 

We’d advise you to figure out how often you need to enter the zone and calculate whether paying the fee is more cost-effective. If you only enter once per month, for example, it will only cost £150 per year to keep your old car. 

What Car Should I Buy to Meet the ULEZ Standard?

If you do need to change your car for a ULEZ-compliant one, there are some great examples on the second-hand market that won't break the bank. 

All of the below cars were found by our team on Autotrader, so are accurate representations of what’s for sale, at the time of writing. 

Thanks to Petrol engined cars being relatively low emitters of Nox, there are many more options when it comes to ULEZ compliant petrol, and every car since 2006 will be compliant, some great examples include: 

The list of Diesel cars that meet the ULEZ standards is a good deal shorter than that of petrols, mainly because the ULEZ rules require diesels to be Euro 6 rated which came into effect in 2015. 

To help, we’ve listed some diesel cars that are ULEZ compliant, sorted into different categories below. 

We’ve listed a number of great ULEZ-compliant deals you can pick up on the used market and explained exactly why your car may or may not meet the criteria. 

If you need a new used car be sure to check for more information on car types, servicing and other used car guides on our blog 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

ULEZ-Exempt Cars & Vans Explained

The automotive industry is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic in the world. It is a sector that lives and breathes on innovation, with those businesses innovating fastest and deepest always winning. Consumers are quick to vote with their wallets if a brand comes out with something they are desperate to get a piece of.

Whether you are a manufacturer or dealer, maintaining competitive advantage is no longer just about the vehicles you make and sell; it’s about product, service and brand seamlessly combining to tell consumers that this is the one for them.

This is where partners like Bumper have a critical role to play. Manufacturers and dealers do what they do best – make and sell cars – and bring the very best partners in the world in other crucial elements of the customer experience to ensure those three components of excellence are delivered.

Given this context, at Bumper we have always known that staying ahead of the curve is not just a goal, it is an absolute necessity. If you stand still, you die – and while we have been on an incredible growth journey to date, becoming what is undoubtedly one of the leading businesses in automotive payments in Europe, we – like our industry partners – strive for better.

The $48 million funding round we announced last week underpins that ambition. We want to be the dominant payment platform for car dealers across Europe, giving their customers the ultimate flexibility in making the necessary payments to keep their cars on the road.

Our journey began with a simple yet powerful idea: to make car repairs less financially burdensome for owners while empowering dealerships with advanced, digital payment solutions to enable those customers to say “yes” to the repairs and upgrades they need. Delivering a product to meet this simple mission has ultimately driven our exponential growth, and the endorsement of investment from JLR’s InMotion Ventures and Porsche Ventures is a hugely positive moment.

The recent funding round, led by Autotech Ventures and bolstered by Shell Ventures, in addition to both JLR and Porsche, is about more than capital: it is a resounding vote of confidence in our vision to become the go-to payment platform for dealers anywhere in the world.

Our strategy is straightforward yet ambitious. We’re expanding our reach, targeting key European markets including the UK, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ireland. While Bumper is already available through 5,000 dealers, enabling more than 250,000 repairs in the past year alone, our goal is to double this number annually.

While the growth strategies of automotive businesses vary widely from brand to brand, they increasingly have one consistent goal: to support their customers with the car-related challenges they face, take the pressure away when decisions are difficult and, ultimately, give them the most enjoyable car-buying and owning experience possible. Financing servicing and repairs is a fundamental part of delivering that, and there has never been a more critical time for dealers to consider the services they provide, with the cost-of-living crisis leading any car owner or buyer to consider their options more deeply than I have seen in my lifetime.

Bumper’s success isn’t just measured in numbers, it’s reflected in the relief and satisfaction of car owners who can keep their vehicles on the road without financial strain, and in seeing the thriving businesses of our dealer partners that can offer more to their customers. These objectives are ultimately two that not only mean the end customer is hugely positive, it speeds-up the time to purchase and drives incremental revenue.

Innovative payments: Bumper’s new funding will support an exciting future for car dealers across Europe

Pagos innovadores: La nueva propuesta de Bumper abrirá un futuro apasionante para los concesionarios de automóviles de toda Europa.

Before the mass adoption of fuel injection, turbocharging, and high compression engines, 1-litre engines were considered city cars and runabout vehicles. 

Nowadays, manufacturers are putting these small-capacity engines in bigger and bigger vehicles and achieving great

with ample power. Now 1-litre cars can compete, despite their engine size. 

Curious? We’ve rounded up the best 1-litre engine cars currently on sale today. Scroll down to get inspired and find out why a 1L car could be a match for you! 

A 1-litre car has a 1,000cc engine — one of the smallest on the market. 

Car engine size refers to the volume of cylinders in the engine and is expressed in litres of cubic centimetres (cc). 

Naturally, a 4-litre engine has more power than a 1-litre engine. But don’t discount 1L cars. These smaller engines provide good fuel economy and they can drive quite fast if the car doesn’t weigh too much. 

We’ve researched the best 1-litre engine cars so you don’t have to.

 We’ve also separated our findings into sub-categories to help you find the right motor. These categories include: 

After our list, you’ll find a few common 1L car FAQs and expert answers. Think of this blog as your complete 1L engine buying guide! 

Save money without sacrificing your ride. Here are the most affordable 1L cars. 

The Picanto has been a popular city car since its first generation in 2003. The newest model has much better exterior styling, though. The first generation looked a little unwieldy even when new. 

For a budget-friendly price of £15,595, the Picanto offers a brand-new experience. Equipped with a 1.0 normally aspirated petrol engine, it may not be the most powerful, but it's a testament to the Picanto's practicality and value for money, delivering a respectable 66 bhp. 

The first of our cheap cars to feature a turbocharged engine, the Dacia Sandero 1.0 is a far cry from the first Dacias brought to the UK. 

With sharp styling both inside and out and a good selection of infotainment and tech, the new Sandero would be a great choice for anyone looking for a cheap, brand-new car. 

With 110 horsepower whilst still achieving over 50 miles to the gallon, it has enough power to not feel dangerous on the road, with the

Designed for city driving, the Suzuki Celerio 1.0 is a small hatchback that’s affordable to buy and run. 

The Celerio isn’t on sale as a new car anymore, but there are plenty of high-quality, pre-loved models floating about. With an average cost of £8,889 and an annual road tax of £190, this is an excellent pick if you want a cheap motor. You can even find ones as low as £4,200 if you research well enough. 

The Celerio boasts a solid reliability record, 

, and spacious interiors. It’s not super fast, but if you’re looking for a city car, that’s likely not an issue. 

Concerned about fuel efficiency? Here are some options to consider. 

As one of the most common sights on the road in the UK, the 500 is clearly a popular car, but the 1.2 petrol engine in most of the models up until 2020 was an ageing unit using outdated technology. 

 is accompanied by a hybrid system similar to that used in the current Suzuki Ignis Hybrid. This system also uses a 12v battery rather than a higher-voltage dedicated EV battery to store the regained energy. 

According to Fiat, the 500 MHEV's hybrid system allows it to reach over 60 MPG, making it the most fuel-efficient 1.0-litre car you can buy. 

The Volkswagen Up! is a popular 1L car for new drivers, and it’s well-known for its excellent performance in turns, bends, and corners. 

However, these cars also boast great fuel economy, especially the options with Bluemotion Technology. These models are also fitted with engine stop-start to reduce fuel consumption and low rolling resistance tyres. We like the sound of that! 

Want to go eco? Volkswagen also produces the VW e-Up! Models that have all-electric engines. 

If power and speed are your priority, the following options are the best bet. 

Ford brought back the Puma model in 2019. The previous one was a two-door coupe, but the new one is a popular crossover. One of the engine options is the 1.0T EcoBoost, usually mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox - although auto is available too. 

The Puma 1.0T has a spritely 153 bhp, allowing it to reach 60 miles an hour in less than 9 seconds. This is pretty reasonable for a medium to large car with a small 1.0-litre engine. 

Even though it has the same engine as the Puma ST-Line, the Focus comes with a slightly more fuel-efficient and lower power map on the ECU, allowing it to obtain over 52 MPG instead of the Puma’s 51. 

The Focus is similarly well equipped, with a large infotainment screen, dual-zone climate control and cruise control. However, a 0-60 time of 10.2 seconds is quite a bit slower than the Puma. 

These are the best options for interior space and practicality whilst still only having a 1.0-litre engine. 

The Arona is a medium-sized crossover made by SEAT. Fitted with the 1.0 Volkswagen Audi Group engine, it can achieve 53 MPG despite its more portly size. Styling is typically SEAT, with sharp angles and angular accented grilles and lights. 

Its great fuel efficiency is mainly due to the clever tech packed into its powerplant, utilising an extremely efficient turbocharger setup. The Arona easily accommodates five adults in front of a 400-litre boot space, with plenty of room for the family dog and everyone’s wellies! 

As Volkswagen’s smallest SUV/Crossover, the T-Cross suits the innovative 1.0 TSI engine well. Paired with the 6-speed DSG gearbox, the T-Cross can achieve 45.6 MPG, which is not as impressive as some cars with the same-sized engine. 

Inside, the T-Cross is more stylish than old Volkswagens, with curved fascias and half-leather seats. Rear space and boot capacity are slightly greater than the Arona, probably due to the more vertical, flat rear shape of the T-Cross. 

As the cheapest of our 1.0-litre family cars, the MG may be best suited for those looking for a roomy car on a budget. The lower purchase price may be a false economy, though, as the MG cannot reach the same MPG figures as either the T-Cross or the Arona. 

Entertainment and tech on the ZS are competitive, though, with the T-GDI Exclusive model in question being equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen, 360-degree parking camera, and Apple Carplay. 

Yes, 1L engine cars are worth the purchase.

As we’ve already touched upon, 1.0-litre cars of old - say before the early 2000s - were often slow and underpowered unless they were in the smallest of economy cars. 

With modern technology, a 1.0-litre engine can provide over 100hp, which is more than enough for even a medium-sized car. The benefit is that 1.0-litre vehicles can be extremely fuel efficient, owing to their low engine capacity. 

Is a 1.0 Litre car good for motorway driving?

No, one-litre cars aren’t great for frequent motorway use.

Although an average 1.0 turbocharged car produces around 80-90 horsepower, we would not recommend a 1.0 litre for regular motorway use. Occasional use, however, would not be a problem. 

The main issue would be the ability to overtake and accelerate to a reasonable speed for merging from a slip road. 

The best 1-litre car depends on your personal preferences.

To understand which of the best 1L cars suits you, ask yourself the following questions: 

These questions help you narrow down your search criteria and guarantee that your final decision aligns with your lifestyle. Go slow and enjoy the research process! 

No, today 1-litre engines can go faster than you’d think.

Of course, they’re not as fast or powerful as a 2.0 or 4.0L engine. However, they can reach higher speeds and zip around faster than older models. 

The drawback of 1 L engines is that they take longer to accelerate and reach higher speeds. This also uses up more petrol. So, motorway driving can be expensive and not so fuel efficient. 

So, we’ve rounded up quite a large selection of cars, but which is our pick? If you’re looking for a small runaround or an ideal first car, we’d suggest the Dacia Sandero 90, as it has the best combination of power and affordability. 

For those looking for a larger car, the Seat Arona is our preference. It has the premium feel of the VW, with the price tag closer to that of the MG, which is a great compromise considering its sleek looks, too! 

Did any of the 1L-engine cars catch your eye? With plenty of models to fit all needs, examining 1.0 cars can be overwhelming. After all, they all have unique benefits and innovative features. 

Hopefully, our list has introduced you to the best 1L cars and answered a few burning questions. Save this page so you don’t lose our recommendations! 

Split the cost of maintenance with Bumper

Make your car maintenance costs work for you. With 

 and split the cost of repairs, MOTs, services and parts into interest-free monthly payments. Apply online before your booking and choose from 1000s of repairers across the country. 

The Best 1 Litre Cars to Buy In 2024

Los mejores coches de 1L en eficiencia y rendimiento

We're pleased to announce the winner of the Dealership of the Month for November 2023 is York, Ward & Rowlatt.

The site achieved a record-breaking month in November by doubling the number of customers paying for their repairs through Bumper.

York, Ward & Rowlatt has been a part of the Bumper network since 2016 and in that time has established the pay monthly option as a fundamental part of their aftersales process. The team have now installed the Bumper PayPads, giving customers the power to choose between PayLater and PayNow in just a few clicks.

Mutual Bumper and York, Ward & Rowlatt customers agree that the customer service at the site is truly unbeatable. One reviewer said, “Fantastic service and a great team. Really helped me understand everything clearly with good communication.” Another said, “Great to be able to spread the cost of maintaining a car over a set period of time, really helpful in such precarious financial struggles.”

Bumper’s Darren Gloster visited the site to hand over the award. He said, “I’d like to say a big congratulations to York, Ward & Rowlatt. They’ve been a long-standing and valuable partner for Bumper.

“It’s fantastic to see the team working so hard to bring customers greater payment flexibility. They’re incredibly knowledgeable about Bumper’s products and have now adopted the PayPad into their everyday process so easily.”

Congratulations to, Rebecca, Stuart, Paul, Dan and the whole team at York, Ward & Rowlatt!

York, Ward & Rowlatt Win Dealership of the Month 

The ULEZ is a big deal if you live anywhere near London, governing what cars can be driven into the city limits without paying a fine. 

In August this year, the Ultra Low Emissions Zone was expanded to all boroughs of 

, meaning only compliant cars can drive into the city without paying a fee. Find out here. more information on

 what the ULEZ is and if your car is compliant

In this blog, we’ll discuss what ways there are to avoid having to pay the ULEZ fee or change your car.

Using ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) technology, cameras record the registration of every car that passes by them. This list of cars is then automatically checked against a central database of vehicles for ULEZ compliance. 

Within the ULEZ zone, there are roughly 2,800 cameras in the ULEZ zone. Some are placed on dedicated poles, and some on existing traffic light gantries and signposts.

What Happens if You Get Caught by a ULEZ Camera?

Unlike speed cameras with a bright flash, there are no visible signs that a ULEZ camera has read and logged your number plate. If you do pass a ULEZ camera in a

 your details will be stored for roughly three days.

This is because you have until three days following the journey, to pay the ULEZ fee. If after midnight on the third day, you have not paid, you will be issued a fine.

If you’re caught entering a ULEZ zone and do not pay the fee within the allotted time period, a £180 fine will be sent to the registered keeper’s address. Issued in the form of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), these should not be ignored as they can lead to court rulings.

Whilst the fine is £180, it is reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days of the fine date.

If your car is not compliant, you can avoid paying extra charges by taking care when planning your journey: 

WAZE is an app available on both Android and iPhone devices that maps routes, in a similar way to Google Maps does. 

The benefit of WAZE is that it utilises user-submitted data to monitor where traffic, roadworks, speed cameras and ULEZ cameras are situated. This allows you to avoid the ULEZ zones as long as you use WAZE to direct you. 

Before planning your route, open the settings menu, and select “Toll and HOV passes”, make sure the “London ULEZ Compliant” exemption is not selected. This tells WAZE that your car is not ULEZ-compliant. 

We’ve discussed almost everything there is to know about the ULEZ charging system and what you need to do. For more information on ULEZ and many other car-related topics check out our 

Here's How to Avoid the ULEZ Zones in London

Did you know SUVs are the most popular type of car sold in the UK? 

Prior to this popularity explosion, they were usually large, luxurious, and expensive vehicles that few people owned. However, almost every manufacturer is now making smaller, compact SUVs for daily life and all budgets. 

The trick to finding a cheap SUV is knowing which brand is worth buying. Consider this your SUV cheat sheet — we’ve compiled a list of the most affordable (quality) SUVs currently on the market in the UK. 

The list below starts at the most expensive affordable SUV and counts down to the cheapest. Get your notepad out and scroll down for more.

The Volvo EX30 isn’t the cheapest on this list by far, but it still sits in the lower price category for SUVs, and it’s a great choice if you’re ready to invest in an outstandingly reliable car. The EX30’s durability makes it excellent value for money, so your upfront purchase pays itself off after years of use. 

The highlights of the Volvo EX30 include its comfort, up to 296 battery range, and five-door design. Some drivers critique the car’s boot space, so keep this in mind if storage is a priority.

The Volkswagen T-Cross is another entry on this list that is above £20,000. However, don’t discount it, as this is still a more affordable SUV price, especially when you consider the value provided by the car.

The T-Cross offers lots of boot storage, ample space for backseat passengers, and great standard equipment. It also has innovative features like lane assist, cruise control, and blindspot detection. However, some drivers may opt for a cheaper car with similar features, such as the SEAT Arona.