Curated list
For cars first registered from July 2008 to the end of 2020, motor tax depends on official CO2. The cheapest bands, A1 to A4, cost €170 to €200 a year. One band higher, at B1, it jumps to €270, and C is €400. Many popular used cars sit right on the edge, so the exact version and year matter.
For each car below we checked official type-approval CO2 figures and show the cheapest year to buy and the band it falls in. Always check the CO2 on the registration certificate of the car you're looking at: economy versions, smaller wheels and manual gearboxes are often a band lower.
Photo: Maurizio Pesce from Milan, Italia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons01 · The city champion
Toyota's hybrid system is proven and simple, with no clutch to wear out and no turbo to fail. In town it often runs on electric power, and its official CO2 puts it in one of the cheapest bands.
Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons02 · The modern default
The current Corolla brought the name back in 2019, and the 1.8 hybrid is a common sight in taxi ranks for a reason: low running costs and a strong reliability record. Cars registered in 2019 and 2020 are taxed on the older NEDC CO2 figures, which keeps them in a low band.
Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons03 · Plug-in estate
The Passat GTE pairs a 1.4 turbo petrol with an electric motor and battery for short trips on electricity alone. Its official CO2 is very low, which puts it in a low tax band. It suits drivers who can charge at home.
Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons04 · The sensible diesel
The Mk3 Focus kept the sharp handling Focuses are known for, and the 1.6 TDCi returns strong economy. Its official CO2 of 109 g/km puts it in the €190 band. A good high-mileage commuter.
Watch for: 1.0 EcoBoost coolant hoses/header tank, Powershift auto judder.
Photo: JamesYoung8167, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons05 · Small engine, big car
The award-winning 1.0 EcoBoost three-cylinder turbo moves a full-size family hatchback surprisingly well. It's a petrol option in a low tax band for drivers who don't do enough miles to justify a diesel.
Watch for: 1.0 EcoBoost coolant hoses/header tank, Powershift auto judder.
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons06 · Cheap to buy and run
The Mk6 Golf feels well built and is easy to live with. The 1.6 TDI ranges from 99 g/km for BlueMotion versions to 119 g/km, all in the low bands. It's one of the cheapest routes into a Golf on low tax.
Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons07 · Quick and frugal
With 150 PS, the 2.0 TDI is properly brisk, yet its official CO2 of around 106 g/km keeps it in the €190 band. The Mk7 is a step up in refinement and safety equipment.
Watch for: Dieselgate fix/EGR and DPF issues on short-trip cars.
Photo: Charles01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons08 · The space champion
The Octavia gives you a bigger boot than many cars from the class above, Volkswagen Group engines and Skoda's sensible prices. The 2.0 TDI estate is the family car to beat on space per euro of tax.
Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons09 · SUV, low tax
The car that started the crossover boom. In its second generation the 1.5 dCi diesel manages around 99 g/km officially, keeping SUV-style practicality in the €180 band.
Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons10 · The unsung saloon
The Avensis was never exciting, but it's reliable and roomy, and the later 1.6 D-4D brought its CO2 down to around 108 g/km. Prices are low because buyers have moved to SUVs.
Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons11 · Business-class space
The B8 Passat estate is huge inside and comfortable on long runs, and the 2.0 TDI 150 sits at around 106 g/km officially. It's an ex-fleet favourite, so there are plenty to choose from.
Photo: DieselFordMondeo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons12 · The driver's choice
Rear-wheel drive and a strong 2.0 diesel make the 320d the most enjoyable car here. The EfficientDynamics versions reach 109 g/km; standard models sit around 120 g/km. Check the exact version, as the M Sport kit and bigger wheels can push it up a band.
Watch for: N47 timing chain on early cars, EGR and DPF issues.
For cars first registered from 1 July 2008 to the end of 2020, motor tax goes by official NEDC CO2: A1 (up to 80 g/km) €170, A2 (81–100) €180, A3 (101–110) €190, A4 (111–120) €200, B1 (121–130) €270, B2 (131–140) €280, C (141–155) €400. Cars registered from 2021 use the newer WLTP figures and different bands.
Check the CO2 figure on the registration certificate, not the advert. The same model can sit in different bands depending on gearbox, wheel size and economy pack. motortax.ie shows the current rate for any registration.
Guide prices and 'watch for' notes are our own estimates and haven't been independently checked. Motor tax figures are worked out from Department of Transport rates; check the exact figure for a specific car at motortax.ie.
Motor tax rates: Department of Transport schedule (unchanged in Budgets 2025 and 2026), checked 2026-09. CO2: official UK type-approval figures from the Vehicle Certification Agency; Irish-market versions can differ slightly. Your car's exact CO2 and band are on its registration certificate, and motortax.ie shows the rate for a given registration. Pre-July 2008 cars are taxed on engine size; July 2008–2020 on NEDC CO2; 2021 on, on WLTP CO2.
.jpg){kind=link}
_IMG_4338.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_China_(11).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
_-_2.0_(160PS)_diesel_automatic_-_2025-07-08,_front_right.jpg){kind=link}