“Cheap to import” isn’t about the sticker price abroad — it’s about what the car costs once Irish customs, VAT and VRT are paid. These specific models stack every advantage: 0% duty, low VRT bands, and genuine value at source.
The short version
- The cheapest cars to import are low-CO₂ Japanese-built hybrids and small petrols — they combine 0% duty with the lowest VRT bands.
- A Toyota Aqua or Suzuki Swift can land thousands below the Irish forecourt price for the same car.
- Battery EVs like the Nissan Leaf are temporarily even cheaper thanks to VRT relief — until 31 December 2026.
- Avoid large diesels and EU-built cars from Britain: they’re never the cheap option.
What makes a car cheap to import
Four things decide whether a car lands cheaply in Ireland. Every model on this list ticks all four:
- 0% customs duty — built in Japan (EU–Japan EPA) or the UK (with proof of origin), saving 10% of the landed value.
- Low CO₂ — keeps VRT in the 7–14% range instead of 30–41%. This is the biggest single lever.
- Petrol or hybrid, not diesel — avoids the heavy diesel NOx levy (capped at €4,850 vs €600 for petrol).
- Real value at source — Japan’s auctions clear low-mileage cars below Irish retail, leaving margin to absorb the taxes.
If those terms are new to you, start with VRT explained and how much it costs to import a car.
The cheapest cars to import, ranked
These are the models that consistently land cheapest after all Irish taxes. VRT bands are indicative and depend on the exact car’s emissions and OMSP.
| Model | Type | Indicative VRT | Why it's cheap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Aqua | Hybrid | 7–9% | Lowest VRT band; Japan's most abundant hybrid keeps prices low |
| Suzuki Swift / kei cars | Petrol | 7–11% | Very low value + low CO₂ = minimal VRT |
| Nissan Note e-Power | Hybrid | 9–11% | Self-charging, no plug, excellent efficiency |
| Honda Fit / Jazz hybrid | Hybrid | 9–12% | Small, efficient, cheap at auction |
| Toyota Prius | Hybrid | 7–9% | Proven reliability, strong Irish resale demand |
| Toyota Corolla hybrid | Hybrid | 11–13% | Mainstream demand, strong residuals |
| Mazda 2 / Mazda 3 (Skyactiv) | Petrol | 11–14% | Efficient petrol, high-grade auction stock |
| Nissan Leaf | EV | 7% | Lowest band, zero NOx, up to €5,000 VRT relief (until end-2026) |
VRT bands are indicative; confirm the exact figure for your car with Revenue.
The EV window is closing
A used battery EV imported and registered before 31 December 2026 gets up to €5,000 VRT relief, the lowest 7% band and zero NOx levy. With 6–10 weeks shipping from Japan, you need to start now to register in time. Enquire about an EV import →
A real landed-cost example
Here’s what one of the cheapest options actually looks like on paper — a 3-year-old Japanese hybrid bought at auction:
Japan-built hybrid (e.g. Toyota Aqua)
3 years old, average mileage
The same car on an Irish forecourt typically sells for €22,000–€26,000 — a saving of €4,000–€8,000+ even after every tax is paid in full. That gap is exactly why these models are “cheap” despite the 23% VAT.
The cars that are never cheap
For pure cost-efficiency, steer clear of:
- Large diesel SUVs — the 35–41% VRT band plus the heaviest NOx levy: the worst possible combination.
- German premium brands from Great Britain (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, VW) — built in the EU, so 10% duty stacks on top of 23% VAT.
- Performance cars over 190 g/km — the 41% VRT band only makes sense if the car itself is the goal, not savings.
- Pre-2018 cars with NEDC-only CO₂ data — risk of the WLTP-conversion penalty bumping them up a band.
Want the model-agnostic version of this — the decisions rather than the cars? Read the cheapest way to import a car to Ireland, or see the full picture in our complete import guide.
Figures are indicative and for guidance only. Actual VRT is charged on Revenue’s OMSP and varies by model, year and mileage. Always confirm current rates and your specific case with Revenue.ie before committing to a purchase.