A black Ferrari worth €620,000 and three Lamborghinis valued at almost €1 million were among more than 1,000 vehicles seized by Revenue in 2025, newly released records show.

The seizures, disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act, show that trucks and other vehicles with a combined value of €15.6 million were confiscated last year over issues including vehicle registration tax (VRT), the use of marked fuel, or smuggling.

Among the high-value hauls was an orange Lamborghini worth €405,000, seized in December and listed as being held in a State warehouse. A second Lamborghini, valued at around €200,000, was taken in June and is also recorded as being stored there. A third, worth €330,000, was seized in August but marked in Revenue's files as "released locally."

The black Ferrari, valued at €620,000, was confiscated in March but was later returned to its owner. A yellow Ferrari 360, estimated at €120,000, was seized last September and was also released.

By contrast, some of the vehicles taken by Revenue were worth very little, with a Volkswagen Golf, a Vauxhall Astra and a Toyota RAV4 each valued at just €200.

Both Ferraris and all three Lamborghinis were detained because of VRT issues, which accounted for the bulk of Revenue's seizures in 2025. In total, 858 vehicles worth a combined €12.7 million were seized over VRT problems last year. A further 127 vehicles, valued at just over €1 million, were confiscated for the use of marked mineral oil, commonly known as green diesel.

Revenue also recorded 66 seizures worth €1.6 million involving vehicles used to smuggle illicit goods, while seven vehicles worth €221,000 were taken over their use in drug-related crime. In the first half of this year, a further 552 vehicles worth €7.4 million were seized, with most again linked to VRT breaches.

Asked about the figures, a Revenue spokesperson said the agency's approach to vehicle detention and seizure was rooted in "fairness and protecting the public interest," aimed at ensuring that compliant taxpayers and legitimate traders were not undermined by those evading tax or exploiting vehicles for criminal purposes.

The spokesperson said avoiding VRT or misusing marked fuel gave offenders an unfair edge over ordinary motorists and motor traders, while using vehicles to transport illegal tobacco, alcohol, fuel or drugs harmed both the exchequer and wider society.

They added that once a vehicle is seized, Revenue follows legal and administrative procedures to determine whether it should be returned or disposed of. In some cases, vehicles are given back if the owner cooperates or pays a "compromise sum" along with any outstanding tax. If an owner fails to challenge a seizure within the legal time limit, the vehicle becomes permanently forfeited to the State.

Source: The Irish Times

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