Find out how Irish car tax is calculated, check your annual motor tax by registration number and compare the running costs of used cars before you buy.
“How much is my car tax?” is one of the most important questions to ask before buying a used car in Ireland. Two vehicles with similar prices can have very different annual motor tax costs depending on their registration date, engine size and official CO₂ emissions.
The official term in Ireland is motor tax, although drivers frequently search for “car tax”, “road tax”, “car tax checker” or “motor tax calculator”.
The fastest way to obtain an exact figure is to enter the vehicle’s registration number into the official Motor Tax rate checker. The Department of Transport service returns the current rate associated with that registration and notes that the rate can change if the vehicle’s ownership or tax class changes.
Before choosing your next vehicle, you can browse used cars for sale in Ireland on Bargaindigger.ie and compare the asking price, fuel type, engine, year and likely annual tax.
Quick Answer: How Much Is Car Tax in Ireland?
For a private car, the annual motor tax can range from €120 to €2,400 under the emissions-based system. Older cars taxed by engine capacity currently range from €199 for an engine up to 1,000cc to €1,809 for an engine of 3,001cc or more. Battery electric vehicles are taxed at €120 per year.
Your exact rate depends primarily on when the vehicle was first registered:
- Before 1 July 2008: generally calculated by engine capacity in cubic centimetres.
- 1 July 2008 to 31 December 2020: calculated using NEDC CO₂ emissions.
- From 1 January 2021: calculated using WLTP CO₂ emissions.
How to Check Car Tax by Registration Number
You do not need to calculate the amount manually when you already know the registration number.
Use the official Motor Tax website and:
- Open the motor tax rate checker.
- Enter the full Irish registration number.
- Submit the registration.
- Review the current tax rate for that vehicle.
This is the most reliable method when checking a particular used car because two versions of the same model may have different engines, emissions figures and tax rates.
A dealer advertisement may describe a vehicle as “low tax”, but you should verify the amount independently before paying a deposit.
Cars Registered from 1 January 2021: WLTP Motor Tax Rates
Private cars first registered from 1 January 2021 are taxed according to their official WLTP CO₂ emissions. The annual rates are shown below.
WLTP CO₂ emissions Annual motor tax
0g/km €120
1–50g/km €140
51–80g/km €150
81–90g/km €160
91–100g/km €170
101–110g/km €180
111–120g/km €190
121–130g/km €200
131–140g/km €210
141–150g/km €270
151–160g/km €280
161–170g/km €420
171–190g/km €600
191–200g/km €790
201–225g/km €1,250
Over 225g/km €2,400
This system means a modern car with low official emissions may cost less than €200 per year to tax, while a high-emission performance car or large SUV can cost considerably more.
Cars Registered Between July 2008 and December 2020
Private cars first registered between 1 July 2008 and 31 December 2020 are generally taxed using the older NEDC CO₂ measurement.
NEDC CO₂ emissions Annual motor tax
0g/km €120
1–80g/km €170
81–100g/km €180
101–110g/km €190
111–120g/km €200
121–130g/km €270
131–140g/km €280
141–155g/km €400
156–170g/km €600
171–190g/km €790
191–225g/km €1,250
Over 225g/km €2,400
This is why many economical diesel cars registered after July 2008 have relatively low annual tax. However, motor tax is only one ownership cost. Diesel buyers should also consider mileage, DPF condition, servicing and suitability for short journeys.
You can browse diesel cars for sale on Bargaindigger.ie and compare different makes, models and registration years.
Cars Registered Before July 2008: Engine-Size Tax
Private cars first registered before 1 July 2008 are generally taxed according to engine capacity rather than CO₂ emissions.
Engine capacity Annual motor tax
Up to 1,000cc €199
1,001–1,100cc €299
1,101–1,200cc €330
1,201–1,300cc €358
1,301–1,400cc €385
1,401–1,500cc €413
1,501–1,600cc €514
1,601–1,700cc €544
1,701–1,800cc €636
1,801–1,900cc €673
1,901–2,000cc €710
2,001–2,100cc €906
2,101–2,200cc €951
2,201–2,300cc €994
2,301–2,400cc €1,034
2,401–2,500cc €1,080
2,501–2,600cc €1,294
2,601–2,700cc €1,345
2,701–2,800cc €1,391
2,801–2,900cc €1,443
2,901–3,000cc €1,494
3,001cc or more €1,809
This system can make an older large-engine car expensive to tax even when its purchase price is low.
For example, an inexpensive older luxury car may cost more than €1,000 per year in motor tax. Over several years, that can remove much of the saving made on the original purchase price.
How Much Is Motor Tax on an Electric Car?
The annual motor tax rate for a battery electric vehicle is €120, currently the lowest motor tax rate for a private car in Ireland.
This applies to fully electric vehicles rather than ordinary hybrids.
You can browse electric cars for sale in Ireland, including electric hatchbacks, saloons and family SUVs.
Before buying an electric car, also consider:
- Battery condition
- Realistic driving range
- Home-charging availability
- Public-charging costs
- Insurance
- Remaining battery warranty
Low motor tax does not automatically mean that a particular electric car is the best option for your driving requirements.
How Much Is Motor Tax on a Hybrid?
There is no single flat motor tax rate for every hybrid car.
Most hybrids and plug-in hybrids are taxed according to their official CO₂ emissions and registration date. A low-emission plug-in hybrid may fall into one of the lower bands, but its rate should still be checked using the registration number.
Do not assume that every vehicle advertised as “hybrid” costs €120 to tax. The €120 electric rate applies to battery electric vehicles, while hybrid tax depends on the relevant emissions band.
You can compare hybrid cars for sale on Bargaindigger.ie.
Does a Bigger Engine Always Mean Higher Car Tax?
Not necessarily.
For cars taxed under the pre-July 2008 system, a larger engine generally means higher annual motor tax.
For cars taxed under the emissions systems, the official CO₂ figure is more important than engine size. A newer 2.0-litre diesel may therefore have lower tax than an older 1.8-litre petrol car.
This is why checking the registration number is more accurate than estimating the tax from engine size alone.
Is Car Tax Different for Imported Vehicles?
The tax treatment of an imported private car generally depends on when it was first registered in its original country and whether an accepted CO₂ figure was available when it was registered in Ireland.
Vehicles first registered abroad before 1 January 2008 are generally taxed according to engine size. Later imported vehicles may be taxed according to their NEDC or WLTP CO₂ figure, depending on the first-registration date and the information recorded during registration.
Because imports can have more complicated registration histories, always use the official registration-number checker rather than relying only on the year shown on the Irish plate.
Can I Pay Motor Tax for Three, Six or Twelve Months?
Motor tax discs can generally be issued for:
- Three months
- Six months
- Twelve months
Paying for a full year is normally the cheapest option. The official rate tables calculate six-month tax at 55.5% of the annual rate and quarterly tax at 28.25% of the annual rate. Paying quarterly throughout the year therefore costs more than paying annually.
For example, a car with annual tax of €280 costs:
- €280 for 12 months
- €155 for six months
- €79 for three months
Four quarterly payments would total €316 rather than €280.
Can Motor Tax Be Paid Monthly?
Standard private-car motor tax is not normally sold as a monthly subscription.
The usual options are three, six or 12 months. Monthly amounts shown in official tables refer primarily to arrears calculations rather than a normal monthly payment plan.
What Happens if Car Tax Is Paid Late?
If a vehicle is used on a public road, motor tax must be paid. Late tax can create arrears, calculated at one-tenth of the annual rate for each month involved.
If the vehicle will not be used or kept in a public place, it should be declared off the road in advance through the appropriate non-use declaration process. Retrospective declarations are generally not accepted as a way to avoid arrears.
How to Pay Car Tax Online
Motor tax can be renewed online for most private cars.
You will normally need:
- Vehicle registration number
- Motor tax PIN
- Email address
- Debit or credit card
- Billing information
The PIN is usually provided on the renewal notice, and online renewal is available through the official Motor Tax service.
Motor tax can also be handled through the relevant local motor tax office.
Motor Tax Is Not the Same as VRT
Motor tax is the recurring charge for using a registered vehicle on public roads.
Vehicle Registration Tax, commonly called VRT, is a separate tax associated with registering a vehicle in Ireland. VRT is particularly relevant when buying a new car or importing a vehicle.
When importing a car, you may therefore need to consider:
- Purchase price
- VRT
- VAT or customs charges where applicable
- NOx levy where applicable
- Annual motor tax
- Insurance
- Registration and inspection costs
Why Car Tax Matters When Buying a Used Car
The advertised price does not show the full cost of ownership.
Before buying a used car, calculate the approximate annual cost of:
- Motor tax
- Insurance
- Fuel or charging
- Servicing
- NCT
- Tyres
- Repairs
- Finance payments
A car costing €7,000 with annual tax of €1,250 may be less affordable over three years than a €9,000 car costing €200 per year to tax.
Three years of tax would be:
- €3,750 at €1,250 per year
- €600 at €200 per year
That is a difference of €3,150 before fuel, servicing or repairs are considered.
Find Low-Tax Cars on Bargaindigger.ie
When comparing cars, look beyond the initial asking price.
A newer petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric model with lower annual tax may cost more to purchase but less to own over several years.
Start by browsing used cars for sale in Ireland and compare:
- Registration year
- Fuel type
- Engine size
- CO₂ emissions
- Transmission
- Mileage
- Asking price
- Annual motor tax
You can also explore electric cars, hybrid cars and diesel cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out how much my car tax is?
Enter the vehicle registration number into the official Motor Tax rate checker. This is more reliable than estimating the amount from the make, model or engine size.
What is the cheapest car tax in Ireland?
The lowest annual private-car rate is currently €120. Battery electric vehicles are charged €120 annually.
What is the highest annual car tax?
Under the current CO₂ system, vehicles emitting more than 225g/km can be charged €2,400 per year.
How much is tax on a 1.6-litre car?
For a car taxed by engine capacity, an engine from 1,501cc to 1,600cc costs €514 annually. A newer 1.6-litre car taxed by CO₂ could have a different rate, so check its registration number.
How much is tax on a 2.0-litre car?
For an older vehicle taxed by engine capacity, an engine from 1,901cc to 2,000cc costs €710 annually. Cars taxed by CO₂ may have a lower or higher rate depending on emissions.
Is annual car tax cheaper than paying quarterly?
Yes. Quarterly and six-month payments include a surcharge compared with the annual amount.
Does car tax transfer to a new owner?
The tax rate is linked to the vehicle’s registered details and tax class. If the tax class changes after a change of ownership, the applicable rate may also change.
Is every electric or hybrid car taxed at €120?
Fully electric battery vehicles are taxed at €120 per year. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids are generally taxed according to their CO₂ band rather than receiving an automatic flat €120 rate.
Final Verdict
The answer to “How much is my car tax?” depends on the vehicle’s first-registration date, engine capacity or official CO₂ emissions.
Cars registered before July 2008 are generally taxed by engine size. Cars registered from July 2008 to the end of 2020 use the NEDC emissions system, while cars registered from January 2021 use WLTP emissions. Fully electric cars currently cost €120 per year to tax.
Always check the exact amount using the registration number before buying a used car. Then compare that figure with insurance, fuel, maintenance and the purchase price to understand the vehicle’s true ownership cost.
Browse cars for sale in Ireland on Bargaindigger.ie and find a vehicle that suits both your lifestyle and your annual running-cost budget.
