Learn how car tax works in Ireland, including motor tax rates by engine size, CO₂ emissions and WLTP bands. Find affordable used cars on Bargaindigger.
If you are buying a car in Ireland, one of the most important ongoing costs to consider is motor tax. Fuel, insurance and maintenance often get most of the attention, but annual motor tax can also make a big difference to the total cost of owning a vehicle.
Before you buy your next car, it is worth checking how much motor tax you are likely to pay each year. A small-engine car, hybrid or electric vehicle can often be cheaper to tax than an older high-emission or large-engine vehicle.
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What Is Motor Tax in Ireland?
Motor tax is a mandatory charge for vehicles used on public roads in Ireland. If you own and use a car, you must make sure that the vehicle is taxed correctly.
The amount you pay depends mainly on the vehicle’s registration date, engine size or CO₂ emissions. This means two cars with a similar purchase price can have very different annual running costs.
For example, a low-emission hybrid or electric car may have a much lower annual motor tax rate than an older petrol or diesel car with a large engine.
Before buying a used car, check the registration number, emissions information and tax band so you understand the real yearly cost of ownership.
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How Is Car Tax Calculated in Ireland?
Motor tax for private cars in Ireland is generally calculated in three main ways:
- Engine size for many older cars.
- CO₂ emissions under the NEDC system for many cars registered from July 2008 to the end of 2020.
- CO₂ emissions under the WLTP system for cars registered from January 2021 onwards.
The exact rate can depend on the vehicle’s registration history, import status and official emissions data, so buyers should always confirm the tax band before purchasing.
Official motor tax checker: Check motor tax rates on MotorTax.ie
1. Cars Registered Before 1 July 2008
Many cars registered before 1 July 2008 are taxed based on engine size, measured in cubic centimetres, also known as cc.
In general, the larger the engine, the higher the annual motor tax. This is why some older luxury cars, sports cars and large petrol or diesel vehicles can be expensive to tax.
Examples of engine-size categories include:
- Small engines up to 1,000cc
- 1,001cc to 1,100cc
- 1,201cc to 1,300cc
- 1,401cc to 1,500cc
- 1,901cc to 2,000cc
- 3,001cc and above
A small city car with a 1.0-litre engine may be much cheaper to tax than an older 2.0-litre or 3.0-litre vehicle.
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2. Cars Registered from July 2008 to December 2020
For many cars first registered from 1 July 2008 up to 31 December 2020, motor tax is based on CO₂ emissions under the NEDC system.
This means cleaner vehicles usually pay less tax, while higher-emission vehicles pay more.
Examples of annual motor tax bands may include:
- 0g/km CO₂: low annual tax
- 1–80g/km CO₂: low annual tax
- 81–100g/km CO₂: still relatively affordable
- 121–130g/km CO₂: moderate annual tax
- 141–155g/km CO₂: higher annual tax
- 191–225g/km CO₂: expensive annual tax
- Over 225g/km CO₂: among the highest tax bands
When comparing used cars, two vehicles with similar mileage and price may have very different tax costs if their emissions are different.
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3. Cars Registered from January 2021 Onwards
Cars first registered from 1 January 2021 onwards are generally taxed using WLTP emissions figures. WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure.
WLTP emissions figures are designed to be more realistic than the older NEDC figures. Because of this, some vehicles may fall into a higher tax band than buyers expect.
Examples of WLTP motor tax bands include:
CO₂ emissionsTypical annual motor tax band0g/km€1201–50g/km€14051–80g/km€15081–90g/km€16091–100g/km€170101–110g/km€180111–120g/km€190121–130g/km€200131–140g/km€210141–150g/km€270151–160g/km€280161–170g/km€420171–190g/km€600191–200g/km€790201–225g/km€1,250226g/km and above€2,400
These figures show why checking emissions before buying is so important. A higher-emission SUV or performance car can cost much more to tax than a smaller hybrid or electric vehicle.
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Why Electric Cars Have Low Motor Tax
Fully electric vehicles usually benefit from one of the lowest motor tax rates in Ireland. Since they produce zero tailpipe emissions, they can be attractive to drivers who want lower annual running costs.
Electric cars may cost more to buy, but the lower motor tax and reduced fuel costs can help balance the total cost of ownership over time.
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What About Imported Cars?
Imported vehicles can be more complicated. The tax band may depend on the car’s original registration date, country of origin, emissions data and whether NEDC or WLTP figures are available.
Before buying an imported car, always check:
- Original first registration date
- Irish registration date
- CO₂ emissions figure
- Engine size
- Fuel type
- VRT and import documentation
- Motor tax band
- NCT status
- Service history
Do not assume that an imported car will have the same motor tax as a similar Irish-registered model. Always check before buying.
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Can You Pay Motor Tax Monthly?
Motor tax in Ireland is normally paid for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months.
Annual payment is usually the best-value option because shorter payment periods cost more overall. If you can afford to pay for 12 months at once, it may reduce your total yearly cost.
Before buying, calculate the full ownership cost, including:
- Motor tax
- Insurance
- Fuel
- Servicing
- Tyres
- NCT preparation
- Repairs
- Finance repayments, if applicable
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How to Check a Car’s Tax Band Before Buying
Before committing to a used car, always ask the seller for key details.
Ask for:
- Registration number
- Vehicle Registration Certificate details
- CO₂ emissions figure
- Engine size
- Fuel type
- NCT status
- Tax expiry date
- Service history
- Mileage
- Previous import status, if applicable
You can use the vehicle registration number to check the motor tax rate through the official MotorTax.ie system.
Official checker: Motor tax rate by registration number
After checking the yearly tax cost, compare similar cars on Bargaindigger:
Check NCT Status Before You Buy
Motor tax is not the only cost to check. NCT status is also important when buying a used car in Ireland.
A car with a long-valid NCT may give buyers more confidence, while a car with an expired or nearly expired NCT may need repairs soon. Always read the listing carefully and ask the seller for the current NCT expiry date.
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Best Types of Cars for Lower Motor Tax
If keeping annual tax low is important, consider these types of vehicles:
Small Petrol Cars
Small petrol cars can be affordable to buy, insure and tax, especially if they have low emissions.
Search here: Small petrol cars
Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars often have lower CO₂ emissions than traditional petrol or diesel cars, which can help reduce motor tax.
Search here: Hybrid cars
Electric Cars
Electric vehicles usually sit in one of the lowest tax categories and can also reduce fuel costs.
Search here: Electric cars
Low-Emission Diesel Cars
For high-mileage drivers, a modern low-emission diesel may still make sense, especially for motorway use.
Search here: Diesel cars
Compact SUVs
If you need more space but want to manage costs, compare compact SUVs carefully by emissions and fuel type.
Search here: SUV cars
Popular Makes to Compare on Bargaindigger
When checking motor tax, it helps to compare different makes and models. Some brands offer strong low-emission options, while others may include larger engines with higher tax costs.
Browse popular makes:
Motor Tax and Total Cost of Ownership
A cheaper purchase price does not always mean a cheaper car to own. An older vehicle may cost less upfront, but higher motor tax, fuel bills and repair costs can make it more expensive over time.
Before buying, compare:
- Purchase price
- Annual motor tax
- Fuel economy
- Insurance quote
- NCT status
- Service history
- Tyre condition
- Mileage
- Repair costs
- Resale value
A car with slightly higher purchase price but lower motor tax and better fuel economy may save money in the long run.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is car tax called in Ireland?
Car tax is usually called motor tax in Ireland. It is a mandatory charge for vehicles used on public roads.
How is motor tax calculated in Ireland?
It depends on the vehicle. Many older cars are taxed by engine size, while many newer cars are taxed by CO₂ emissions.
Are electric cars cheaper to tax?
Yes. Fully electric cars usually benefit from one of the lowest annual motor tax rates.
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Are diesel cars expensive to tax?
It depends on the registration date and emissions. Some modern diesel cars have reasonable tax rates, while older or high-emission diesel vehicles can be more expensive.
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Can I check motor tax before buying?
Yes. You should check the tax band before buying any used car. Ask for the registration number and use the official MotorTax.ie checker.
Should I buy a car with low tax?
Low tax can reduce yearly costs, but it should not be the only factor. Also check insurance, fuel economy, NCT status, mileage, service history and condition.
Final Thoughts
Motor tax is one of the most important ongoing costs of owning a car in Ireland. Whether you are buying a small city car, family SUV, hybrid or electric vehicle, understanding how motor tax works can help you make a smarter financial decision.
As a general rule, low-emission cars and electric vehicles usually offer lower annual tax bills, while older large-engine vehicles and high-emission models can be more expensive to tax.
Before buying any car, take a few minutes to check its motor tax band, NCT status and total running costs. A quick check could save you hundreds of euros every year.
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