Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) Rates in Ireland changed from July 2008 to take account of Co2 emissions.

New VRT and Motor Tax rates in Ireland

Band A: cars that produce 0-120g/km CO2 - 14 per cent VRT - €100 road tax;
Band B: cars that produce 121g - 140g/km CO2 - 16 per cent VRT - €150 road tax;
Band C: cars that produce 141g-155g/km CO2 - 20 per cent VRT - €290 road tax;
Band D: cars that produce 156g-170g/km CO2 - 24 per cent VRT - €430 road tax;
Band E: cars that produce 171g-190g/km CO2 - 28 per cent VRT - €600 road tax;
Band F: cars that produce 191g-225g/km CO2 - 32 per cent VRT - €1,000 road tax;
Band G: cars that produce 226g/km CO2 and over - 36 per cent VRT - €2,000 road tax

Using 2006 car sales figures in Ireland , it is estimated that 4.7 per cent of motorists drive cars that will fall into the Band G range, with just 9.9 per cent falling into Band F.

Some car makes and models that fall into Band A

Band A Citroen C1 1.0i petrol & 1.4HDi diesel
• Citroen C2 1.4HDi diesel
• Citroen C3, 1.6HDi 16v diesel, 1.4HDi diesel
• Daihatsu Sirion 1.0 petrol
• Fiat Grande Punto 1.3 diesel
• Ford Fiesta 1.6 Duratorq TDCi diesel
• Mini R56 1.6 diesel • Peugeot 107 1.0 petro
l • Peugeot 206 1.4HDi diesel
• Renault Clio 1.5 dCi diesel
• Renault Modus 1.5 dCi diesel
• Smart forfour 1.5Td diesel
• Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D diesel
• Vauxhall Corsa 1.0i petrol & 1.3CDTi petrol
• Fiat Panda 1.3 16v diesel
• Hyandai Getz 1.5 CRTD diesel
• Toyota Prius 1.5 VVT-i Hybrid,

Models such as the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, Kia Sorento, Mercedes-Benz ML and Toyota Land Cruiser are all going to fall into the dreaded Band G, with an increase in VRT of 6 per cent and that €2,000 per year road tax .
Meanwhile the BMW 5-Series diesel, especially the 520d, will take the opposite direction. While its 2.0-litre diesel engine would have commanded a top rate of VRT of 30 per cent and €590 road tax, the most fuel efficient version BMW does, with its 136g/km of CO2, will see its VRT rate drop dramatically to just 16 per cent, slashing the purchase price, and it will cost just €150 per annum in road tax.
A saving grace for some manufacturers of large SUVs and large MPVs, as so often is the case, is that these are bought as commercial vehicles, whereby these remain subject to a lower VRT rate of just €50
.However, as many of these are bought by taxi firms, these pay just €79 per annum road tax

Upto July 2008 VRT is based on the estimated selling price of a vehicle (OMSP)
VRT on Cars up to 1400 cc is 22.5% of OMSP, (subject to a min. tax of 315 euro)
On Cars 1401cc-1900cc VRT is 25% of OMSP (subject to a min. tax of 315 euro)
For Cars over 1900cc it is 30% of OMSP (subject to a min. tax of 315 euro)
For Small vans and some jeeps - it is 13.3% of OMSP (subject to a min tax of 125 euro)
For Motorcycles 2 euro per 350cc and 1 euro per cc thereafter


Other vehicles - A flat rate of 50 euro VRT for tractors, large vans, lorries, etc.

See our Car Insurance page for details of car insurance.