Why has an imported BMW 520d higher tax?
I bought a 2016 BMW 5 Series (F10 2.0-litre diesel) from a garage and was thinking that the tax would be €200 for the year as I had the exact same car last year, but was a 2015 - tax band on CO2 emission was 111-120g/km.
Now when taxing the 2016 car the tax for the year it's showing as €600 for a year at CO2 emissions of 156g/km. It is a Jap import. I just want to make sure if there could be a mistake on the system or it is actually 156g/km emissions before I tax it?
Dilan (Dublin)Aug 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Dilan,
The lower CO2 rating of that earlier car was according to the old “NEDC” standard. Any cars imported since 2021 with an NEDC-standard CO2 figure (as this Jap import would have had) would have had the number 'uplifted' by Revenue to make it comparable to the newer WLTP standard. It was trying to reduce the number of older, more polluting diesels being imported, but it just means that people may more motor tax at times, even if the cars are identical to those already registered in Ireland.
Of course, a Japanese model's CO2 figure could be a little different on top of all that.
How much to tax a 1.6-litre diesel van?
Hi,
I'm looking at buying a van. How much would it cost me to tax a 1.6-litre diesel van?
Michael Enright (Dublin)Aug 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
If it's being used solely for business use then it can be taxed as a commercial for €333 per year. However, if it's for any private use whatsoever then it needs to be taxed privately. The rate is then determined by the van's engine size, no matter how new it is.
Hence, for a van with an engine of 1,501-1,600cc, the annual motor tax is €514.
Which tax rate for an imported 2004 Toyota Hilux?
Hi,
I hope to import a 2004 Toyota Hilux 2.4 D-4D from the UK. Can you tell me if I would pay motor tax by engine size? Or would it be classed as being first registered upon the year of import, say next year, therefore I'd pay motor tax based on its emissions?
Denis Mcgrath (TIPPERARY )Jul 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Denis,
Regardless of its year, as the Hilux is a commercial vehicle, if you want to tax it for private use, then it's according to its engine size. If you are using it for a business then it can be taxed as a commercial.
Why is my motor tax so high on my Audi A4?
Why is my motor tax 600 Euro and similar car is €280? The dealer told me it would be around €400. The plate is 151 LH 4456.
Jurgen Smith (Clogherhead)Jul 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Jurgen,
According to our figures, your car's CO2 emissions (it's a 2015 Audi A4 saloon 1.8 petrol) are in the 156-170g/km range according to the old NEDC system.
For such cars, registered before January 2021, the tax band is D, costing €600 a year.
A car registered after that date with a WLTP rating of 151-160g/km would cost €280 a year and the €400 rate you mentioned is for cars with an emissions rating of 141-155g/km so perhaps the dealer was mistaken.
Can I import a Land Rover Defender as a commercial?
I am looking to import a Land Rover Defender 110 or 90 from the UK as they are significantly cheaper over there. I however do not want to pay a huge amount of VRT. Can it be brought in as a two-seat commercial and only pay the €333 rate?
Alex Ryan (Dublin )Jul 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Alex,
If the vehicle is indeed a two-seat commercial then yes you can import it as that and pay just 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP). The €333 rate you refer to is the annual motor tax rate for commercials, which is only available for those using their vehicles for zero private use whatsoever.
I want a van for private use. How do I do that?
I want a standard van, Renault Trafic for example. I want to use it to travel through France and Spain carrying two e-bikes, two rollators, two dogs, luggage and my wife - we are both retired. I want to put some carpet in the back and sometimes, when needed, sleep there. I do not intend to transport goods, provide services or camp everywhere. How can I make this happen?
Ronnie Koon (Frenchpark Co Roscommon )Jun 2025 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ronnie,
On the face of it, that's not difficult. You just buy a van you like the look of and inform your motor tax office that it will be used privately. The motor tax then changes to a rate defined by the van's engine size (regardless of how new it is).
Your bigger challenge could be finding insurance, and I urge you to check that out before committing to buying any vehicle.
Private motor tax on a 1.5-litre Dacia Duster commercial?
Hi,
I would like to tax a 2022 Dacia Duster 1.5 diesel commercial for private use. What motor tax will I pay?
Thank you
George (Frenchpark Co Roscommon )Jun 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi George,
The rate in this situation is defined by the engine size. For the 1.5-litre Dacia, it will cost €413 per year.
How much to tax a 2.4 Hilux privately?
How much does it cost in July 2025 to tax a 2.4-litre diesel Hilux from new privately?
Daniel O’Neill (Athlone)Jun 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Daniel,
As it goes by engine size in that scenario, then the annual motor tax bill would be €1,034.
Can an employee tax a pickup as a commercial?
Can I reduce the amount of motor tax on a pickup if I use it for work purposes even if I'm not self-employed?
Kevin Donnelly (Dundalk)Jun 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
If the vehicle is used exclusively for work purposes as part of a business, then potentially yes. As an employee of a business, which is what it sounds like you are, you must submit a declaration to Revenue to confirm that the vehicle is 100 per cent used for work. Even commuting is not allowed though so that's probably not practical.
Has the Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV a rear-axle issue?
Hi,
I'm looking at Volvo XC90s. In the 2019/2020 T8 hybrid, should the known ERAD problem be a concern? Is there anything to mitigate the risk? Does Volvo cover replacement if the vehicle has a full Volvo service history? Or is it safer to stick with the D5/B5 variant?
Thanks
Donal Canney (Galway)Jun 2025 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
For the benefit of our other readers, ERAD stands for Electric Rear Axle Drive, which is effectively the electric motor used on the rear axle of the plug-in-hybrid XC90 T8 (and other Volvo PHEVs) to give it all-wheel drive and fully electric operation. And yes, they are a known weak point of the car.
There is some evidence that Volvo will help with repair or replacement for cars with a full service history, but it seems to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis as there has been no official recall or statement on it from Volvo. Do not rely on this.
We'd strongly recommend you avoid early cars unless the ERAD unit has been replaced relatively recently, but Volvo did make improvements as early as 2018, and the facelifted cars from 2020 on (badged “Recharge”) are a relatively safe bet.
Look not only for a regular service history, but also for maintenance details relating specifically to the rear axle.
The D5/B5 cars are certainly a better bet in terms of dependability, but obviously come with higher running costs and motor tax.