Why is an auto more expensive to tax?

I purchased a Micra Acenta 1.2 automatic, which is four years old with 4,500 miles on the clock. It seems to be running perfectly after a few hundred miles. Does this car have a chain-cam drive? Why am I paying £165 road tax on this car?

Asked on 19 September 2011 by WH, Durham

Answered by Honest John
Yes, it does have a chain cam engine. £165 is the rate for the CO2 emissions that are higher with an automatic transmission, because more energy is required to turn the torque converter. An old shape Micra 1.2 automatic is £165. An old shape Micra 1.2 manual is £115.
Tags: automatics ved
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