How does vintage motor tax work?
Hi,
I recently went through your guides on VRT and motor tax, but can't seem to find any article on how vintage tax works and what the limitations are regarding insurance, etc. Would appreciate an article. The guides were very informative and easy to follow.
Thanks
Evan (Dublin)Oct 2025 Filed under: classic cars
Expert answer
Hi Evan,
Thanks for your kind words, but we're not sure it warrants a full guide as vintage motor tax is quite simple - once the car is over 30 years old, it qualifies.
Some insurers do specific classic car insurance as well, but that's quite a separate thing and each of them have their own terms and conditions when it comes to mileage and access to another car.
How is motor tax on a Transporter determined?
l would like to buy a 5-9-year-old, previously owned diesel VW Transporter with crew cab for family sporting activities. I would be reregistering in ROI so would need to pay VRT. When it comes to motor tax, do I need to classify this as a private vehicle and if so is the yearly tax based on emissions or weight?
Keith Cunningham (Dublin)Sep 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Keith,
Neither I'm afraid. It will go by the engine size, as things for cars used to be before 2008. That's the case for privately taxing a commercial vehicle of any age, incidentally, aside from actual vintage commercials that is.
How much to bring my car with me moving to the UK?
Hi,
I am currently looking to move to the UK and bring my car with me. I was wondering if I would be able to get a rough estimate on how much it would cost to change my car from Irish plates to UK plates?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Michael Stanley (Dublin)Sep 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
First of all, if you've lived in Ireland for at least 12 months before moving to the UK, have owned the car for at least six months and you are moving your permanent residence from Ireland to the UK then you should be eligible for transfer of residence (TOR) relief from import duty and VAT. Read the UK's rules on transfer of residence.
If so, then you'll just have to pay the DVLA registration fee (£55), get the car a new MOT cert if it's over three years old and buy a set of number plates, which will be inexpensive. There will also be Vehicle Excise Duty (VED - equivalent of our motor tax) to pay, the rate of which varies depending on the car.
Double-check all the rules for yourself on the UK government's Importing vehicles into the UK page.
What taxes are due on a used EV imported from the North?
Hi, if I import an EV from Northern Ireland that is three years old, what duties do I pay?
Martin McGee (Duleek Co.meath)Aug 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Assuming the car has been in the North for its life (or at least a significant portion of it), and that you can prove that, then no import/customs duty will be payable, and neither will VAT.
If the value of the car (according to Revenue that is, not the price you pay for it) is under €40,000, then the VRT rebate will cover all VRT as well so potentially there is no tax at all - other than motor tax after registration of course.
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.