Motor tax is one of the ongoing costs people forget to budget for when buying a used car in Ireland, and the difference between a low-emission hybrid and an older diesel can be hundreds of euros a year.
Here is how Irish motor tax works in 2026, how to calculate what your car will cost, and what to look for when choosing your next vehicle.
How motor tax is calculated in Ireland
Ireland uses two different systems depending on when the car was first registered:
Cars registered before 1 July 2008: by engine size (cc)
Older cars are taxed on engine capacity alone, regardless of emissions. Rates range from €199/year (under 1,000 cc) to €1,809/year (3,001 cc and above).
This is why a 2006 BMW 3.0-litre petrol can cost nearly €1,000 more per year to tax than a 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.0, even if the Toyota is a perfectly good car.
Cars registered from 1 July 2008 onwards: by CO2 emissions
From this date, motor tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions (g/km), measured on the WLTP or NEDC test cycle recorded at registration. There are 20 bands:
| CO2 band (g/km) | Annual motor tax |
|---|---|
| 0–80 | €120 |
| 81–100 | €140 |
| 101–110 | €150 |
| 111–120 | €160 |
| 121–130 | €170 |
| 131–140 | €180 |
| 141–155 | €200 |
| 156–170 | €280 |
| 171–190 | €390 |
| 191–225 | €600 |
| 226–255 | €900 |
| Over 255 | €2,400 |
Most mainstream used petrol hatchbacks (Corolla, Civic, Focus) fall in the €180–€280/year range. Large diesel SUVs often sit in the €390–€600 band.
The NOx levy: what it is and who pays it
Since 2020, newly registered cars (including imports being registered in Ireland for the first time) also pay a NOx (nitrogen oxide) charge as part of the registration process, not annual motor tax, but a one-off cost at the point of registration.
The NOx charge is calculated on the car's NOx emissions (mg/km) and can add €300–€4,850 to the cost of registering an import, depending on the vehicle. Older diesel engines typically attract the highest NOx charges.
If you are buying an import that is already on Irish plates, the NOx charge has already been paid, but check the VRT and registration paperwork to confirm.
Real-world motor tax examples (2026)
Here is what common used cars actually cost to tax in Ireland:
Budget-friendly (€120–€180/year)
- Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2018+): Band A2, €120/year
- Toyota Corolla 1.4 D-4D (2015): €180/year
- Honda Jazz 1.3 (2014): €180/year
- Hyundai i20 1.0 (2017): €180/year
Mid-range (€200–€390/year)
- Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI (2015): €280/year
- Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi (2016): €200/year
- Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi (2016): €280/year
Higher costs (€600+/year)
- BMW 520d (2014): €600/year
- Audi A6 2.0 TDI (2013): €600/year
- Large petrol SUVs over 2.0 litres: €600–€900/year
These figures are annual and due when you renew at motortax.ie. You cannot drive without valid motor tax, and ANPR cameras enforce it.
How to check motor tax before buying
- Go to motortax.ie
- Enter the car's registration number
- The site shows the exact annual rate for that specific vehicle
Alternatively, the motor tax band is recorded on the VRC (logbook) and on the NCT disc. When buying from a dealer, they should tell you the annual cost upfront. If they cannot, that is a red flag.
Can you reduce your motor tax?
You cannot change the tax band on an existing car. It is fixed at registration based on that vehicle's recorded CO2. But you can choose a lower-band car when buying:
- Hybrids and small petrol engines: consistently the cheapest to tax
- Avoid large diesel engines unless you genuinely need the fuel economy on long motorway miles
- Check the exact band: two similar-looking cars can be in different bands; a 1.6 and a 2.0 version of the same model can differ by €100+/year
If you are comparing petrol, diesel and hybrid options, motor tax should be part of that calculation alongside fuel costs and insurance.
Motor tax when buying a used car
When you buy a used car, the seller's motor tax does not transfer to you. You must:
- Tax the car in your name at motortax.ie before driving it
- Have insurance in your name: the site checks your insurance policy automatically
- Have a valid NCT: expired NCT blocks online taxation
Tax can be paid for 3, 6 or 12 months. Most people pay annually. You will need the vehicle's PIN from the VRC logbook to complete online taxation.
Electric vehicles and motor tax
Fully electric vehicles (BEVs) currently qualify for the lowest motor tax band at €120/year, the same as the cleanest hybrids. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are taxed on their CO2 emissions like any other car, so check the specific band carefully; some PHEVs in inefficient default modes sit in higher bands than expected.
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The bottom line
Motor tax in Ireland ranges from €120 to €2,400 per year depending on the car's age, engine size and emissions. Before you buy any used car, check the exact rate at motortax.ie. It is one of the easiest costs to overlook and one of the hardest to change after purchase. Browse cars in our showroom and we will tell you the annual motor tax on any vehicle before you commit. Questions? Get in touch.
