How does Vehicle Registration Tax actually affect the final price of a car in Ireland?

Many buyers underestimate how much VRT increases the real purchase cost. In some cases, VRT alone can represent 20–40% of the vehicle's Irish market value, especially for high-emission diesel cars and large SUVs.

Which data matters most when estimating VRT before buying a car?

The most important factors are: Irish Open Market Selling Price (OMSP), CO₂ emissions (WLTP), NOx emissions, and the correct VRT category. A mistake on any of these inputs can significantly distort your estimate.

How close is a VRT calculator estimate to the real amount charged by Revenue?

A good calculator usually stays within a few hundred euro of the final assessment. The biggest source of variation is Revenue's own individual OMSP determination, which cannot be perfectly predicted in advance.

Is there a minimum VRT amount?

Yes. For certain vehicle categories, Revenue applies a minimum VRT amount. This means that even if your calculated percentage of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) is low, you will still be required to pay at least the minimum VRT set for that category.

What options do I have if Revenue values my car too high for VRT?

You can submit an appeal within 30 days of registration by providing Irish market listings, dealer valuations and condition reports. Successful appeals often result in partial VRT repayment.

Should I use WLTP or NEDC emissions when estimating VRT?

Always use WLTP if available. If your vehicle only provides NEDC data, it must be converted to WLTP-equivalent values before applying the correct VRT band.

What additional taxes should I expect when importing a vehicle from the UK?

Beyond VRT, most UK imports are also subject to: Customs duty (typically 10%), Irish VAT (23%), and registration and inspection fees.

How long does the full vehicle registration process normally take?

From arrival in Ireland to final registration, most vehicles are completed within 5–15 working days, depending on NCTS appointment availability and documentation readiness.

Do short-term visitors to Ireland have to pay VRT on their vehicles?

In most cases, no — provided the vehicle remains registered abroad and is not sold or permanently kept in Ireland. Strict residency and usage rules apply.

Is VRT estimation reliable for vans and commercial vehicles?

Yes, but commercial vehicles follow different rules than passenger cars. Misclassification between private and commercial use is one of the most common causes of penalties.

What happens if I miss the 30-day deadline for VRT payment?

Late registration can result in financial penalties, backdated charges, vehicle seizure and possible prosecution by Revenue.

How can I identify the correct statistical code for my vehicle?

The statistical code is assigned based on your vehicle's technical specifications and classification. NCTS staff and Revenue documentation can confirm the correct code during registration.

Can VRT be paid online or must I attend in person?

Payment and documentation are handled online through Revenue systems, but the vehicle must still attend a physical NCTS inspection before plates are issued.

How is VRT different from Irish motor tax in practice?

VRT is a once-off registration tax. Motor tax is an annual charge for using public roads. Both must be paid, but they serve different legal purposes.

Are there any situations where VRT does not apply at all?

Yes — for example, certain transfers of residence, diplomatic vehicles and specific temporary imports may qualify for full exemption.

What financial incentives exist for electric vehicles under VRT rules?

Electric vehicles benefit from partial VRT relief up to defined OMSP limits, which can significantly reduce their registration cost.

What is the difference between HPI Check and VRT Check?

An HPI check verifies a vehicle's history (finance, theft, write-off). A VRT check estimates how much tax you must pay to register that vehicle in Ireland. Both are essential, but they serve completely different purposes.

VRT Check Ireland

Instant Vehicle Tax Reports

Check VRT status or calculate import costs in seconds. Get complete tax breakdown with OMSP estimate and NOx levy.

Calculate Your VRT Now → Learn How VRT Works

Instant Analysis — No manual data entry

Smart Calculator — Auto-estimates OMSP & emissions

Popular Models Database — 500+ pre-loaded vehicles

12,500+ reports generated €6.8M+ VRT calculated €450 average saving per import

VRT Calculator

Get your estimate in seconds

Open Market Selling Price (OMSP)

The estimated Irish market value of your vehicle

CO₂ Emissions (g/km) - WLTP

NOx Emissions (mg/km)

Fuel Type

Vehicle Category

How Our VRT Check Works

1️⃣

Select Vehicle

Choose your car from 500+ popular models in our database

2️⃣

Instant Analysis

System estimates Irish market value and emissions automatically

3️⃣

Download Report

Get complete VRT breakdown showing exact tax, NOx levy, and total costs

No manual data entering. No guessing OMSP. Just accurate results.

Registration VRT Check

Verify tax paid on any Irish vehicle

Check any registered car's VRT history:

✓ Tax amount paid at first registration
✓ Open Market Selling Price used
✓ Registration date and origin
✓ Emissions and statistical code
✓ Payment verification

Why check before buying?

• Confirms legal registration
• Reveals import origin
• Verifies proper tax payment
• Shows true vehicle value

Check VRT Status →

Popular Models - VRT Quick Check

Premium German Cars

2020 BMW 320d M Sport

Irish Market Value: €28,500 | CO₂: 128g/km

Base VRT: €5,985 | NOx: €680

Total: €6,665

2019 Audi A4 2.0 TDI

Irish Market Value: €24,000 | CO₂: 118g/km

Base VRT: €4,800 | NOx: €750

Total: €5,550

2021 Mercedes C220d

Irish Market Value: €32,000 | CO₂: 135g/km

Base VRT: €6,720 | NOx: €820

Total: €7,540

Family Cars

2019 Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI

Irish Market Value: €18,500 | CO₂: 112g/km

VRT: €3,330 | NOx: N/A

Total: €3,330

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Irish Market Value: €22,000 | CO₂: 98g/km

VRT: €3,080 | NOx: N/A

Total: €3,080

2018 Ford Focus 1.0

Irish Market Value: €14,500 | CO₂: 108g/km

VRT: €2,465 | NOx: N/A

Total: €2,465

Electric Vehicles

2021 Nissan Leaf 40kWh

Irish Market Value: €26,000 | CO₂: 0g/km

VRT: €0 - Zero emissions qualify for exemption

2020 Kia Niro PHEV

Irish Market Value: €28,500 | CO₂: 29g/km

VRT: €1,425 | Low emission rate

Total: €1,425

Commercial Vans

2020 Ford Transit Custom

Market Value: €22,000 | CO₂: 168g/km

Category B rate applied

VRT: €2,926

2019 VW Transporter

Market Value: €26,500 | CO₂: 178g/km

Category B calculation

VRT: €3,525

Search 500+ More Models →

Your Complete VRT Report

📊

Tax Breakdown

Vehicle Registration Tax amount
NOx levy (diesel only)
Total chargeable at registration
Comparison vs buying in Ireland

💰

Valuation Analysis

Open Market Selling Price estimate
Statistical code used by Revenue
Variance from purchase price
Appeals guidance if overvalued

🌱

Emissions Impact

CO₂ band and rate
NOx surcharge calculation
Environmental levy
Cleaner alternatives

📈

Import Analysis

Total landed costs
UK vs Ireland comparison
Transport estimate included
Break-even calculation

Get Your VRT Report →

Why Choose VRTCheck.ie

⚡

Faster Results

Others: Manual entering of emissions data

Us: Pre-loaded database, instant VRT check

📚

Smart Database

Others: You research vehicle details yourself

Us: 500+ models with automatic inputs

📄

Professional Reports

Others: Basic calculator

Us: Complete PDF with all costs

💡

Import Advice

Others: Just numbers

Us: Shows if importing makes sense

Real Import Cost Analysis

Example: 2020 BMW 320d from UK

Item	Cost
Purchase (UK)	£12,500
Exchange Rate	€14,750
Transport	€600
Customs	€150
VRT (calculated)	€6,665
NOx Levy	€680
Inspection	€55
Total	€22,900

Irish Market: €26,500 |Saving: €3,600 ✓

Calculate Your Savings →

Understanding Vehicle Registration Tax

What is VRT?

Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) is mandatory when you register a car in Ireland for the first time. All imported vehicles must pay VRT before legal use.

You must pay if you:

• Import from UK, Northern Ireland, or EU
• Buy unregistered imported vehicles
• Bring a car to Ireland permanently
• Register any vehicle first time

How Revenue Calculates VRT

VRT = (OMSP × CO₂ Rate) + NOx Levy

Open Market Selling Price: Revenue determines Irish market value using statistical code matching.

CO₂ Emissions Rates: Bands range from 7% to 37% based on WLTP test results.

NOx Levy: Diesel vehicles pay €100 to €2,500 based on emissions.

Applies to: All passenger cars, vans and commercial vehicles, motorcycles and motor caravans, and diesel cars with NOx levy.

Category A - Cars

Highest rates. VRT as % of OMSP plus NOx.

Under 100g/km: 7-14%

100-140g/km: 14-24%

140-200g/km: 24-36%

Over 200g/km: 36-37%

Category B - Vans

Commercial under 3,500kg. Usually 13.3% flat rate.

Payload area only

No rear seats

Business use

Weight limits apply

Category C - Heavy

Over 3,500kg pay fixed €200 charge.

Large trucks

Buses

Agricultural tractors

Motor caravans

VRT Repayment Options

Two routes to recover VRT when circumstances change or valuations are incorrect.

Export Repayment

Permanently exporting from Ireland? Claim partial refund.

Repayment Rates:

Year 1: 80% refund
Year 2: 60% refund
Year 3: 40% refund
After: No repayment

Required Documents:

Export proof
Foreign registration
Irish deregistration
Completed forms

Example: If VRT paid was €6,000 and the car is exported in year 2, a 60% repayment could return €3,600.

Valuation Appeals

Revenue used incorrect OMSP or statistical code? You can appeal.

Valid Reasons:

Wrong variant used
Incorrect emissions
Excessive valuation
Code mismatch

You Need:

Independent estimate (€200-€500 cost)
Comparable sale evidence
Specification proof
Appeals forms submitted on time

Note: 15-20% of appeals succeed in reducing VRT

Common VRT Mistakes

❌ Using Purchase Price Not OMSP

Problem: Paid €15,000 but Revenue values at €18,000

Cost: Extra €600+ in VRT

Solution: Use our OMSP estimate tool

❌ Forgetting NOx on Diesel

Problem: Calculated VRT but ignored NOx levy

Cost: Surprise €850 charge

Solution: Our calculator includes NOx automatically

❌ Wrong Statistical Code

Problem: Similar model but different version

Cost: €2,000+ valuation difference

Solution: Verify exact trim and variant

❌ Category Misclassification

Problem: Assumed van qualifies Category B

Cost: Pay Category A rates instead

Solution: Check all Category B criteria

Import Worth Analysis

When Importing Saves Money

✓ Premium brands - €3,000-€6,000 cheaper
✓ Newer cars (2019+) - Higher Irish markup
✓ Electric vehicles - Zero VRT benefit
✓ Rare trims - Limited Irish supply

When to Buy Irish Instead

✓ High-emission diesel - VRT reduces savings
✓ Older vehicles - Small price difference
✓ Common models - Competitive market
✓ Unknown history - Import risk premium

Check Import Savings →

Popular Import Models 2026

Best Models for Importing

Based on VRT savings analysis, these models deliver the strongest savings when importing to Ireland.

Top Money-Savers

BMW 3 Series Petrol - Save €4,200
Audi A4 Hybrid - Save €3,800
Mercedes C-Class Petrol - Save €3,500
VW Golf GTI - Save €2,900
Toyota Corolla Hybrid - Save €2,400

Avoid (High VRT)

Range Rover Diesel - VRT €12,000+
BMW X5 40d - NOx adds €1,500+
Audi Q7 TDI - Total €15,000+
Porsche Cayenne Diesel
Large diesel SUVs

See Complete Import Guide →

Recent VRT Updates

Stay ahead of rate changes

We track every update so your estimates stay accurate.

February 2026

Latest monthly database refresh

Updated OMSP and emissions data across 500+ models.

January 2026

EV relief extended to 2027

Cars under €50,000 continue to pay 0% VRT.

December 2025

NOx levy bands adjusted

Under 50mg/km pay reduced rates.

Budget 2026

VRT rates unchanged. CO₂ bands remain at 2025 levels.

Subscribe to Rate Alerts →

Start Your VRT Check

Choose your option

Quick Check

Browse 500+ pre-loaded models for instant VRT estimate.

Browse Models →

Calculator

Enter your vehicle details for custom calculation.

Use Calculator →

Registration Search

Check VRT paid on any Irish car.

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About VRTCheck.ie

Ireland's smartest VRT calculator for car buyers

We built VRTCheck.ie to make VRT calculation instant and accurate. Existing calculators required too much manual research. Our mission: provide complete answers immediately.

Our Difference

✓ Pre-loaded 500+ model database
✓ Instant OMSP and emissions
✓ Professional PDF reports
✓ Import savings comparison
✓ Updated within 24 hours

Our Promise

Free calculator forever
No data collection
Independent guidance
Accurate information from Revenue

Disclaimer: VRT estimates based on our database and Revenue methods. Final VRT determined by Revenue Commissioners at registration. We are not affiliated with Revenue. Verify all calculations with official sources before purchase decisions.

Updated

February 2026

Database

2026.02

Models

500+

Calculate VRT →

VRTCheck.ie - Know before you buy

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is your VRT calculator?

Our database includes pre-loaded values for 500+ popular models with 98% accuracy. For custom inputs where you estimate OMSP yourself, accuracy depends on your valuation. Revenue's final calculation may vary 5-15%. We recommend adding 10% buffer to all VRT estimates for safety.

What makes this VRT check faster?

Traditional calculators require manual research to find CO₂, NOx, and OMSP data. Our database has this pre-loaded for popular models. Select your car, get instant report. No research required for entering vehicle details.

Can I download my VRT report?

Yes. Every calculation generates a complete PDF report including tax breakdown, valuation analysis, emissions impact, and import comparison. Perfect for sharing with lenders or when buying.

How do you estimate OMSP?

Our database tracks actual Irish market sale prices, auction results, and Revenue valuations for 500+ models. We update monthly using market data. For unlisted models, use our OMSP estimator based on make, model, year, and mileage inputs.

Is NOx levy included automatically?

Yes. When you select diesel fuel, the calculator applies appropriate NOx levy calculated based on emissions data. Many calculators miss this, underestimating costs. Our report shows NOx as separate line item.

What if my exact version isn't listed?

Use our advanced calculator for custom specifications. We guide you through finding your statistical code or you can enter OMSP and emissions manually. You still get complete breakdown and analysis in your report.

Can I check VRT on registered vehicles?

Yes. Our VRT check tool searches any Irish registration to see tax paid at first registration, the OMSP used, and complete vehicle details. Essential when buying used cars to verify proper payment.

How often do VRT rates change?

Rates typically change annually in the Budget (October, effective January). NOx levy rates and electric vehicle reliefs can change mid-year. We update our calculator within 24 hours of changes and note update dates clearly.

WLTP vs NEDC emissions?

WLTP is current standard, more realistic than old NEDC. Revenue uses WLTP for vehicles registered from 2020. Older cars use NEDC. Our database includes correct type for each model. Always use WLTP when entering data for 2020+ vehicles.

Does calculator handle Category B vans?

Yes. Database includes popular vans with Category B calculations pre-loaded. The calculator checks if your van meets criteria and warns if it doesn't qualify, preventing costly errors.

What if Revenue's OMSP differs?

Revenue has final authority on valuation. If their OMSP exceeds our estimate by 15%+, you may have appeals grounds. Our report includes guidance and shows comparable values to support your case.

Do you store my VRT searches?

No. All checks and calculations process in real-time without storing search data. Privacy-focused service with no tracking or data retention beyond anonymous statistics.