Clean air zones - check your Euro 6 car now

[Altamar]

I know there are other threads on the subject of the new clean air zones (CAZ) which have just been introduced in Birmingham and Bath and I wanted to flag an issue affecting pre-2015 Euro 6 compliant diesels like my 2014 W212 220d Bluetec E Class.

Bath Council has decided private cars are (currently) exempt from the charge but Birmingham has decided any diesel car which does not comply with Euro 6 will pay the charge from 14 June 2021.

The problem is that Birmingham is apparently relying on the "euro status" on the car's record at the DVLA and my V5 says "no euro status held". This is true for all our family cars. In such cases, Birmingham then look at the registration date and if it is a pre-September 2015 diesel, they assume the car is Euro 5 and the charge is payable.

Owners can check their vehicles here https://vehiclecheck.drive-clean-air-zone.service.gov.uk/vehicle_checkers/enter_details and I suggest if you believe you have a Euro 6 compliant vehicle you may wish to contact DVLA to get them to update your V5. You have to have evidence from the manufacturer and send it to DVLA with a covering letter and your V5.

There is a separate checker here for London ULEZ https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/ and bizarrely my car is showing as Euro 6 compliant on that checker.

I anticipate further cities will be considering CAZ so I am going to get my V5 updated now to prevent problems in the future.

 

[Uncle Benz]

I’ve already been down this road twice with customers cars. Both times Mercedes helpdesk sorted it very quickly to the satisfaction of the authorities

This is the email address that we used to get a swift resolution

homologationmbpc@daimler.com

 

[Uncle Benz]

Maybe this should be a pinned topic? I can see it becoming a common problem in the next few months as London’s ULEZ deadline approaches. Essentially if your mercedes has an adblue system it is euro 6 compliant, and is exempt from the charge. DVSA seem to have a blanket cut-off date of September 2015. There are plenty of euro 6 compliant mercedes from before that date, but DVSA have their heads in the sand about it.

 

[LostKiwi]

Makes me glad to be driving a petrol Euro 3 car.

 

[grayb]

Makes me glad to be driving a petrol Euro 3 car.

Petrol cars will need to be Euro 4 or better, so you will be charged...

 

[grayb]

I anticipate further cities will be considering CAZ so I am going to get my V5 updated now to prevent problems in the future.

I asked DVLA a few years ago about updating my V5 to show its Euro status and they said it wasn't possible despite the fact that I have the Certificate of Conformity which shows it is Euro5. Perhaps they have changed their policy now? This was when we were applying for the French Crit Air sticker. The French authorities just accepted a scan of the Certificate of Conformity.

 

[LostKiwi]

Petrol cars will need to be Euro 4 or better, so you will be charged...

That means my 2001 E class must be Euro 4 then as it's exempt.
My next car for city use will be either electric or over 40 years old. Both are exempt.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Interestingly for my 12 plate E350cdi Euro 5 estate Bath is free and Birmingham is £8.00

Both zones free for my BMW 3 litre - this will push up the resale value of EU6 large capacity petrol cars

 

[s5tuart]

Maybe this should be a pinned topic? I can see it becoming a common problem in the next few months as London’s ULEZ deadline approaches. Essentially if your mercedes has an adblue system it is euro 6 compliant, and is exempt from the charge. DVSA seem to have a blanket cut-off date of September 2015. There are plenty of euro 6 compliant mercedes from before that date, but DVSA have their heads in the sand about it.

My 2016 CLS Shooting Brake Euro 6 has Adblue but is showing it will be charged in London but not Bath or Brum

 

[Uncle Benz]

My 2016 CLS Shooting Brake Euro 6 has Adblue but is showing it will be charged in London but not Bath or Brum

View attachment 68622

You need to speak to mercedes then, as your vehicle should be exempt. This is exactly the scenario I’ve seen twice already.

 

[Altamar]

My 2016 CLS Shooting Brake Euro 6 has Adblue but is showing it will be charged in London but not Bath or Brum

No, that shows your car will be liable for London congestion charge but not the clean air (known as ULEZ in London) charge. Whilst I support the principle of reducing pollution in towns and cities, the implementation seems to have issues which is why I created the thread.

 

[Uncle Benz]

No, that shows your car will be liable for London congestion charge but not the clean air (known as ULEZ in London) charge. Whilst I support the principle of reducing pollution in towns and cities, the implementation seems to have issues which is why I created the thread.

Good spot, I missed that

 

[s5tuart]

No, that shows your car will be liable for London congestion charge but not the clean air (known as ULEZ in London) charge. Whilst I support the principle of reducing pollution in towns and cities, the implementation seems to have issues which is why I created the thread.

Aha! Ok and thanks for clarifying. Luckily I rarely go anywhere near places I have to pay for the privilege!