Will My BMW Be Banned from UK Cities in 2025? What Drivers Need to Know About Emissions and Entry Charges

Photo by David Moffatt on Unsplash

If you're driving an older BMW — especially one from the early 2000s or a diesel before 2015 — you might be wondering if your car is still welcome in the heart of bigger UK cities. You've seen the signs: ULEZ, CAZ, ZEZ. But are BMWs actually banned from UK cities in 2025? Or can you still drive — as long as you’re willing to pay?

Let’s clear it up in this article.

What’s Actually Happening in 2025?

Despite the headlines, most BMW models are not banned outright. But if your car doesn't meet the required emissions standard, you'll need to pay a daily charge to enter certain cities — and the fees aren’t cheap.

In London, for example, the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) covers a huge part of the city. Enter it in a non-compliant BMW, and you're paying £12.50 per day. That’s on top of the congestion charge if you’re headed into central zones.

In Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, and Oxford, Clean Air Zones (CAZ) or Low Emission Zones (LEZ) are either live or expanding — and they follow a similar rulebook.

So no — most BMWs aren’t banned. But if your car doesn't meet the Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) emissions standard, expect to pay every time you drive into a regulated zone.

What Emissions Standard Does My BMW Need?

Here’s the basic breakdown:

• Petrol BMWs: Must be Euro 4 or newer (generally from January 2006 onwards)
  
  

• Diesel BMWs: Must be Euro 6 or newer (generally from September 2015 onwards)
  

If your BMW is older than that, it’s not banned, but you’ll be charged. And if you forget to pay, you’re looking at fines up to £180 — especially in London.

Which BMWs Are Most at Risk in 2025?

Here’s a full table showing which BMWs fall below emissions compliance and what it means if you drive one into a UK city zone.

BMW Model / Generation	Fuel Type	Year Range	Likely Euro Standard	Status in 2025 (ULEZ/CAZ/LEZ)
BMW 3 Series (E46)	Petrol/Diesel	1998–2005	Euro 3 / early Euro 4	Pay to drive or avoid cities
BMW 3 Series (E90/E91)	Petrol/Diesel	2005–2011	Euro 4 / Euro 5	Petrol may be compliant (2006+); diesel is not
BMW 5 Series (E60)	Petrol/Diesel	2003–2010	Euro 3–5	Most are non-compliant; charges apply
BMW 1 Series (E87)	Petrol/Diesel	2004–2011	Euro 4–5	Petrols post-2006 may be OK; diesels aren’t
BMW X5 (E53 / early E70)	Petrol/Diesel	2000–2010	Euro 3 / Euro 4–5	High chance of being charged in most cities
BMW 7 Series (E65)	Petrol/Diesel	2001–2008	Euro 3–4	Not ULEZ compliant in nearly all cases
BMW diesels (pre-Sept 2015)	Diesel	Up to 2015	Euro 3–5	Charged or restricted in all zones
BMW petrols (pre-Jan 2006)	Petrol	Up to 2006	Euro 3	Charged or restricted

Remember: This isn't about the model — it's about the engine and registration date. A 320d from 2014? Likely non-compliant. A 118i from 2008? Possibly OK.

What About Bans?

Right now, Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) is the only UK city with an outright ban on petrol and diesel cars — unless you pay a penalty fee. Other cities like London, Bristol, and Glasgow let you in, but only if you’re willing to pay daily charges.

• London ULEZ: £12.50 per day
  
  

• Birmingham CAZ: £8 per day
  
  

• Bristol CAZ: £9 per day
  
  

• Glasgow LEZ: £60 fine per day (not a charge — a penalty)
  
  

• Oxford ZEZ: Bans non-electric cars during enforcement hours
  

So, unless you're driving a BMW EV, hybrid, or Euro 6 diesel, you're likely on the hook in one or more cities.

How to Check If Your BMW Is Compliant

Don’t guess. It’s easy to find out:

1. Use the official checker:

• TfL ULEZ Checker

• Gov.uk CAZ Checker

2. Check your V5C logbook:
   Look at emissions info or the date of first registration.

3. Know your Euro standard:
   If you’re not sure, give your reg to a BMW specialist or parts supplier. They’ll tell you straight away.

What You Can Do If You’re Not Compliant

You’ve got a few options — and none of them involve throwing your car away.

1. Upgrade to a Compliant BMW

Look for a petrol BMW from 2006 onward, or a diesel from late 2015+. Most models after these cutoffs are Euro 4/Euro 6 and safe to drive.

2. Go Electric or Hybrid

BMW’s i3, plug-in hybrids, or newer EVs all meet current and future zone standards.

3. Source Replacement Parts

Sometimes it’s not the car — it’s the faulty sensor, ECU, or exhaust system tripping emissions. Replacing these with parts from BMW breakers or trusted suppliers like MT Auto Parts can bring your car back in line.

They stock:

• Used BMW engines with Euro 6 compliance
  
  

• Tested ECUs and exhaust parts
  
  

• Complete BMW gearbox replacements
  All backed by warranty and shipped across the UK.

4. Avoid the Zones

If you’re not commuting into a city daily, this might not affect you at all. Many rural and suburban areas remain unrestricted — for now.

Final Thoughts: Not Banned, But Not Free Either

If you own an older BMW, 2025 won’t stop you from driving — but it will cost you. The emission rules are getting tighter, the zones are expanding, and the fines are real. Petrol BMWs before 2006 and diesels before 2015 are now officially expensive to drive through city centres.

But if you stay informed, check your compliance, and make smart upgrades — you can keep your BMW on the road without breaking your bank account.