I've used the ULEZ checker and my 51 plate 307 diesel doesn't meet the new ULEZ standard so I'll have to pay the new charge. Might have to pay the congestion charge as well which would mean £24 a pop. Fortunately, I hardly ever drive into central London. However, once they extend to the north circular it'll affect me more.
Something I'm not quite clear on is the other thing happening 26th October 2020 where they're changing the standard emissions to the ultra low emissions. It says
A change from LEZ standards
If you drive a lorry, van, bus, minibus or other specialist vehicle and it currently meets the Low Emission Zone emissions standards, it may not meet the new ULEZ standards. Check if your vehicle meets the ULEZ standards using our ULEZ vehicle checker.
From 26 October 2020 the emission standards for LEZ will change to match the ULEZ standards.
And here is a pdf showing details. http://content.tfl.gov.uk/lez-ulez-comparison-table.pdf
Will the emissions standards changing from LEZ to ULEZ after October next year affect passing MOT's, or only be applicable when driving into ULEZ zones? And it looks like it's not referring to cars, just buses and lorries? I'm just wondering if I'll be forced to finally get rid of my car if it won't pass MOTs. Currently, it passes just the standard low emission test.
The LEZ has nothing to do with the MOT process.
The LEZ is the current zone in place which determines if buses, lorries etc have to pay to enter the zone or not based on the emissions standard. The ULEZ has a stricter set of emissions standards hence the LEZ turning into the ULEZ for buses, lorries etc in 2020.