The export of old and classic cars from the Netherlands doubled last year following the introduction of road tax on older cars.

In total, almost 12,000 cars older than 25 years were exported last year, the Financieele Dagblad reports. From January this year, the owners of cars which are 25 to 40-years-old have to pay road tax.

LPG and diesel-driven cars are hardest hit by the tax changes and there has been a sharp rise in the number of vehicles being rebuilt to take petrol, the Financieele Dagblad said.