What this car VRT calculator does
This car VRT calculator gives you a practical estimate of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) for a passenger car (Category A style calculation). It combines three major pieces:
- CO₂-based VRT charge (percentage applied to OMSP)
- NOx levy (based on mg/km emissions bands)
- EV relief estimate for battery electric vehicles
How to use the calculator
Step 1: Enter OMSP
OMSP means Open Market Selling Price — the market value used as the tax base. If you are importing a used car, this is not always the same as what you paid abroad.
Step 2: Enter CO₂ value
The calculator maps your CO₂ number into a VRT band and applies the matching rate to the OMSP. Lower emissions generally mean a lower percentage.
Step 3: Enter NOx value
NOx is charged as a separate levy in tiers. Cars with low NOx stay inexpensive; higher NOx values can add a noticeable amount to total cost, especially for diesel vehicles.
Step 4: Choose fuel type
Fuel type affects the NOx levy cap and determines whether battery-electric relief is considered in this model.
Rates used in this calculator
The calculator uses a standard CO₂ percentage ladder often applied in Irish-style Category A VRT examples:
- 0–50 g/km: 7%
- 51–80 g/km: 9%
- 81–85 g/km: 9.75%
- 86–90 g/km: 10.5%
- 91–100 g/km: 12.25%
- 101–110 g/km: 14%
- 111–120 g/km: 15.75%
- 121–130 g/km: 17.5%
- 131–140 g/km: 19.25%
- 141–155 g/km: 22.5%
- 156–170 g/km: 26%
- 171–190 g/km: 30%
- 191+ g/km: 37%
NOx levy is estimated in three brackets: first 40 mg/km, next 40 mg/km, and remainder above 80 mg/km. A cap is then applied (diesel and non-diesel caps differ).
Example calculation
Suppose a car has:
- OMSP: €25,000
- CO₂: 120 g/km
- NOx: 50 mg/km
- Fuel: petrol
CO₂ at 120 g/km lands in the 15.75% band, so the VRT component is €3,937.50. NOx adds a smaller levy based on tiered rates. The calculator combines both and returns a single estimated payable total.
Why this matters when importing a car
Many buyers focus only on purchase price and transport, then get surprised at registration stage. A quick VRT estimate helps with:
- Comparing two candidate cars more accurately
- Avoiding budget overruns before committing to buy
- Evaluating whether a low-emissions option saves money overall
- Planning cash flow for registration day
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official Revenue calculator?
No. This page is an independent estimator for education and planning. Always confirm final liability through official channels.
Why can my final VRT be different?
Differences can come from official OMSP valuation, test-cycle data, policy updates, vehicle classification details, relief eligibility rules, and timing.
Can I use this for every vehicle type?
This version is aimed at a typical private passenger car calculation style. Commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and special categories can have different rules.
Bottom line
If you are researching import costs, this car VRT calculator gives you a fast and useful estimate. Use it early in the buying process, keep your inputs realistic, and treat the output as a decision-support number rather than a final tax notice.