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Hi Michael,

Assuming that it’s the 105hp version of the Focus 1.6 TDCi, and uses a manual gearbox, then it has CO₂ emissions of 88g/km, which means tax of €180 per year.

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Hi Niall,

I’m afraid not. Revenue only applies BIK relief to electric cars and flatly states that ‘hybrids do not count as electric vehicles.’ BIK is calculated on the value of the car and the annual mileage, not on the CO₂ emissions of the car. That may change in the coming months, with the new FG-FF-Green coalition promising to review the motor taxation system, but for now, there’s no BIK benefit to driving a hybrid. 

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Hi Jerry,

Assuming that it’s running on the 18-inch wheels, the 2016 C 250 d Coupe has CO₂ emissions of 112g/km and so will cost €200 a year to tax.

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Hi Mike,

OK, this is a tricky one (not least because we don’t know the year of the car). However, assuming that it’s a 2001 BMW Z3, then it’s going to be worth roughly €3,000 to €4,000 (assuming that it’s in perfect condition with a full service history). The 2.0-litre Z3 has CO₂ emissions of 220g/km (depending on the specific model) so that’s going to be in the Band D, 34 per cent, VRT band. Taking an Irish  market value of €3,500 (splitting the difference) that’s going to be €1,190 in VRT. BUT, it’s worth remembering that when it comes to odd or unusual model, Revenue’s Irish market valuation can be tricky at best, and they tend to over-value cars, especially sports cars. I’d get in touch with the BMW Owners' Club in Ireland to get a more solid feel for the value of the specific car you’re buying, and to have some expert knowledge on hand if you need to appeal Revenue’s valuation. 

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Hi Janice,

It depends when you bought it. If you bought it at least six months ago, and can show that it’s been taxed and insured for that period, plus you can show proof of transfer of residence, then there’s no import duty (Vehicle Registration Tax) to pay. When it comes to paying road tax, it depends on the model. If it’s a commercial vehicle, and used as a commercial vehicle, then it will cost €333 a year to tax. If it’s a commercial vehicle but used as a private car, then it will be €1,034 per year. If it’s a passenger model Defender, then with CO₂ emissions of more than 225g/km, it’ll cost you €2,350 per year in motor tax.

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Hi Anne,

It will depend on the make, model and year. Motor tax is calculated based on the car’s CO₂ emissions, and that’s specific to each individual model. Unless of course it’s a pre-2008 car, in which case tax for a 1.2-litre engine is €330 per year.

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Hi Michael,

OK, the NOx charge seems still to be something of an inexact science, not least because accurate NOx values are still hard to come by for some models. Now, we think that a 2010 Octavia 1.6 TDI has NOx emissions of 152mg/km, which would equal a NOx charge of €1,725 (€5 per mg for the first 60mg, €15 per mg between 60 and 80mg, and then €25 per mg per the balance: €300 + €300 + €1,125 = €1,725). That’s on top of the normal VRT charge, of course. 

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Hi Jason,

Sadly, it matters not what you paid for it, but what the car would be worth here in Ireland. A 2009 Micra is going to be worth around €3,500 on the Irish market (assuming it's in excellent condition with a full service history) and that model has CO₂ emissions of 139g/km. That puts it in VRT Band B3, which means you have to pay 19 per cent of the Irish market value, which would work out at roughly €665.

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HI Niall,

Yeah, that sounds wrong to us. The highest emissions figure we can find for a 2016 Kuga is 140g/km, which would result in tax of €280, and that would be for the range-topping 180hp version with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox. However, €710 is EXACTLY the motor tax you’d pay on a 2.0-litre engine if the car was previously registered as a commercial vehicle and then taxed as a private car. Maybe check and see if that’s the case?

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Hi Stephen,

If it’s a full LPG conversion — i.e. the entire petrol fuel system has been removed and replaced — then there may be some way of applying for a lower VRT rate. Revenue doesn’t currently allow for LPG in its NOx ratings, and the likelihood is that if the car is still capable of running on petrol, then it will still be charged at the normal rate.

The really tricky part is the acceptance of the figures. In theory, Revenue will only accept the NOx figure taken from the car’s original Certificate Of Conformity, which obviously won’t cover any later conversions. I think the first thing to do is to get every scrap of papwerwork relating to the LPG conversion, and then have a long chat with your local motor tax office.