CompleteCar
Ask Us Anything

Why two different motor tax rates for the same BMW?

Two cars, different years pay different rates of motor tax yet they have the same engine and same CO2:

Reg 171 D 61663 pays €190 annually
Reg 182 D 26928 pays €600 annually

What's the difference?

Alexander Papathomas (Dublin 7)

Mar 2025 Filed under: taxation


Expert answer

Hi Alexander,

We've looked those cars up. Both are BMW M140i with slightly different specification, but both powered by the same 3.0-litre petrol engine. 

Using Revenue's website to check the tax rates by reg does indeed show the discrepancy you've found and it suggests that the 171 car's emissions are in the 101-110g/km range, which is just impossible with that engine. We're not sure how that could have happened.

Someone somewhere put the wrong details in the system for that car. 

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor


Read all questions...

-->