Diesel Car VRT Calculator
Calculate VRT for diesel vehicles including NOx surcharges
Calculate Diesel VRT →Diesel VRT Calculator
Calculate your diesel car's VRT including any NOx surcharges.
The Diesel Reality in Ireland
Let's be honest about diesel cars in Ireland. They're not the bargain they used to be. Between NOx surcharges, higher fuel costs, and changing attitudes, diesel imports need careful consideration. But for the right car and usage pattern, they can still make sense.
The NOx Tax Hit
Since 2020, diesel cars face NOx surcharges that can add €1,000-€5,000 to your VRT bill. This isn't a small side note - it can double your VRT in some cases. The surcharge applies to most diesels registered after 2014, based on their NOx emissions.
Example NOx Impact
BMW 320d (2019): €35,000 OMSP, 140g CO₂, 180mg NOx
Base VRT: €5,600 | NOx Surcharge: €3,500
Total VRT: €9,100 (26% of vehicle value!)
When Diesel Still Works
Despite the challenges, diesel can work if:
- You do high annual mileage (25,000km+)
- The car has very low NOx emissions (Euro 6d)
- You're buying a commercial vehicle (lower rates)
- The diesel version is significantly cheaper to buy
Understanding NOx Surcharges
The NOx surcharge is Revenue's way of making diesel cars pay for their air pollution impact. It's calculated based on the car's NOx emissions and value.
How NOx Surcharges Work
| NOx Emissions | Surcharge Rate | Example (€30k car) | Typical Euro Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 80mg/km | 0% | €0 | Euro 6d, some 6c |
| 80-120mg/km | 1% | €300 | Euro 6c, 6d-TEMP |
| 120-180mg/km | 2.5% | €750 | Euro 6b, some 6c |
| Over 180mg/km | 4.75% | €1,425 | Euro 5, 6a, 6b |
Finding Your NOx Emissions
NOx emissions should be listed on:
- Vehicle registration document
- Certificate of Conformity (COC)
- EU Type Approval documentation
- Manufacturer technical specifications
No NOx Data Available?
If you can't find NOx emissions, Revenue will use default values based on Euro standard and engine size. These defaults are usually higher than actual figures, so it pays to find the real numbers.
Popular Diesel Models and VRT Reality
Here's what people are actually importing and what they're paying in VRT.
Audi A4 2.0 TDI (2020)
€38,000 OMSP | 145g CO₂ | 95mg NOx
Total VRT: €6,840 (Base + NOx)
BMW X3 xDrive20d (2019)
€48,000 OMSP | 155g CO₂ | 160mg NOx
Total VRT: €10,800 (Ouch!)
VW Passat 2.0 TDI (2021)
€35,000 OMSP | 130g CO₂ | 80mg NOx
Total VRT: €4,900 (Euro 6d helps)
Mercedes C220d (2018)
€42,000 OMSP | 142g CO₂ | 190mg NOx
Total VRT: €8,670 (Pre-NOx rules)
Smart Diesel Import Strategy
Choose Euro 6d When Possible
Euro 6d diesels (2020+) have the lowest NOx emissions and often avoid surcharges entirely. The difference between Euro 6b and 6d can be €2,000+ in VRT.
Calculate Total Cost of Ownership
Don't just look at VRT. Consider:
- Higher diesel fuel costs vs petrol
- Potential DPF and AdBlue maintenance
- Resale value trends (declining for diesel)
- City driving restrictions (some areas limiting diesel)
Documentation Requirements
Diesel imports need extra attention to paperwork:
- Clear NOx emissions certificate
- Euro standard verification
- AdBlue system documentation (if fitted)
- DPF system verification
Consider Alternatives
Before committing to diesel, check if petrol or hybrid versions might work out cheaper after VRT. The gap has narrowed significantly since NOx surcharges were introduced.