Japan has become Ireland’s largest source of used cars, rising from under 5% of imports in 2019 to 55% in the first half of 2026, writes Brian Byrne. According to analysis by DoneDeal Cars of official vehicle registration data, this shift is largely due to Brexit-era tariffs and VAT making UK imports less economical.
Notably, Volkswagen has emerged as the top make from Japan, with German premium models re-exported to Ireland. The strict Japanese NCT-equivalent standards ensure many imports are in excellent condition. Despite the change in sources, total import volumes have increased, with 59,895 cars arriving in H1 2026, potentially surpassing any full year since 2020.
While UK imports have become cleaner, Japanese imports remain mostly petrol and hybrid, resulting in little change in the average emissions of imported cars.