Is the tax on this 2008 2.0-litre petrol car correct?
Hi there,
I'm looking to buy an already imported car here in Ireland. It's already imported and registered by a private seller. He claims the motor tax is only 400 Euro but it's a 2008 2.0-litre petrol model emitting 199g/km.
When I check the motor tax rates for this car it should be a lot higher with both rates before and after July 2008.
When I check the reg number on Revenue's site it does come back at 400 Euro.
Is this a mistake? So how much would my motor tax be if I imported the same car with the same engine and CO2 emissions?
Thanks so much for your help in advance.
Kind regards
Ed (Leixlip)Apr 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Ed,
The only tax rate that is exactly €400 is for cars registered between 2008 and 2021 with CO2 emissions of 141-155g/km. If the car in question actually emits 199g/km then there does appear to have been a mistake made.
Unfortunately, that has no bearing on what would happen if you imported such a car yourself. In fact, if the 199g/km rating is according to the old “NEDC” system, then Revenue will uplift it to an equivalent WLTP figure for VRT and tax calculations. It comes out as 298g/km, meaning a potential €2,400 per year motor tax bill.
If the 199g/km is actually the WLTP figure, then the annual bill is a more palatable €790.
Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor