Expert answer

Hi Ed,

OK, this one takes a bit of deciphering. I’m guessing that you mean you own two Mercedes-Benz models, both using the 2.1-litre diesel four-cylinder engine. I’m also assuming that you’re talking about the cost of motor tax, although the €290 figure is a little odd — did you mis-type when you meant either €280 (for Band B2) or €390 (for Band C)?

The discrepancy could be down to a number of factors. You don’t, for example, state which models you’re talking about — E-Class? C-Class? Coupe? Convertible? Estate? Do both cars have automatic transmissions? Are they both on the same size wheels? Were they both manufactured in the same year? There’s a huge variation in vehicle emissions and, if you’re talking about the gap between Band C and Band D, it takes only a single g/km of CO₂ to tip from one to the other. 

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Hi Peter,

It depends on how the interior layout of the van is arranged. If there is no bulkhead or physical separation between the seating area and the cargo area, then it’ll be registered as a Category A vehicle and it’ll be taxed on the full CO₂ emissions. If, though, there is a fixed bulkhead or separation between the seats and the cargo, then it goes into Category B, as it’s allowed to have more than three seats but have the passenger and cargo/functional compartments in completely separate units. That should VRT is charged at a flat rate of 13.3 per cent of the OMSP. 

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Hi Michael,

The NOx emissions of that model are 70mg/km, so you’ll have to pay an additional €450 on top of the normal VRT charge if you’re importing one. 

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Hi Veronica,

That car should (emphasis on the should) have NOx emissions of just 30mg/km so will cost just €150 extra on top of the normal VRT. 

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Hi Gerry,

In terms of tax there won’t be any changes before the Budget in October, and there are unlikely to be major changes then. There have been rumblings of a change in the diesel tax system, but the various departments are known to be hesitant to introduce a third motor tax regime on top of the two we already have. A general increase in the cost of motor tax, within the existing bands, is quite likely though, as the Government starts to push people towards electric motoring.

In terms of fuel costs, prices at the pump have spiked up in recent weeks thanks to the Trump-Iran standoff, and this week the average per-litre cost of diesel rose to €1.31. That is likely to continue to rise as long as tensions in the Middle East, and indeed in the White House, remain high. 

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Hi Gerry,

No, motor tax hasn’t been changed for 2020, so you’ll pay the same as last year. The only change to the tax system is the introduction of the new NOx emissions tax, but that only applies if you’re buying a new car or importing a used car from abroad. 

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Hi Lynn,

It’s not going to be cheap I’m afraid. According to the best figures we can find, a 2014 1.7 CDTi Opel/Vauxhall Mokka has NOx emissions of 133mg/km. On the new NOx tax of €5 per mg for the first 60mg, €15 per mg between 60 and 80mg and €25 per mg above that, you’re looking at a NOx tax cost of €1,925 ON TOP of the normal VRT cost (which is going to be around €1,700 or so). 

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Hi Tamas,

Well, it depends on which version of Zafira each one is. From the detail you’ve given there on the tax costs, I’d suspect that the 141 car has the 2.0 CDTi diesel engine, the 129g/km of CO₂ emissions of which would put it in Band B2 for a €280 tax cost. Is the 161 car a 1.4 turbo petrol? Because that version’s 156g/km emissions put it just into the €570 Band D. Or the discrepancy could be down to one having an automatic gearbox, instead of a manual. Without more details, I’m afraid, we can’t be sure. 

Expert answer

Hi David,

Short answer: it’s not easy. The best online source for NOx figures is the British government's Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), which has an online database of fuel economy, CO₂ and NOx figures. Sadly, it’s not an exhaustive resource — some models are not covered. The only source that really matters, as in the one that will be accepted by Revenue as the legally official NOx figure, is the one on a car’s Certificate of Conformity, which is kind of like a birth cert for a car. Sadly, you’d need to get the CoC for the specific car you’re looking at buying, which is not the easiest. 

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

No, the new NOx tax is only applied to Category A vehicles — which means private passenger cars — from Jan 1st onwards.