Importing a Ford Bronco to the UK
Six generations, with a gap from 1997 to 2020. The first three are over 40 years old, at least in part.
What we know about the Ford Bronco
- Generations
- 6 generations, from 1966 to today
- Body styles
- Wagon, half-cab pickup, roadster, lift-off hardtop and SUV, depending on the generation.
- Over 40 in 2026
- Gen 1 and Gen 2 in full, plus early Gen 3 cars.
- Needs IVA
- Gen 6 (IVA).
- Official sale in Europe
- Gen 6 went to limited numbers in selected left-hand-drive European markets from late 2023. The UK was not included.
Which test, by age
The year of the individual car decides the test, not the badge. Each bar is a generation. The dashed lines mark a build date before 1986 (the 2026 vehicle tax cut-off for the 40-year exemptions) and 2016 (the 10-year line between needing approval and not).
- Over 40 years old
- Early builds over 40
- Over 10 years old
- Under 10 years old
- Gen 1 1966-1977
Gen 1: 1966-1977, over 40 years old.
Wagon, half-cab pickup to 1972, roadster to 1968. Over 10 years old, so it usually needs no approval. Built before 1 January 1986, so it may be exempt from MOT and vehicle tax if it is unchanged.
- Gen 2 1978-1979
Gen 2: 1978-1979, over 40 years old.
3-door wagon, lift-off hardtop. Over 10 years old, so it usually needs no approval. Built before 1 January 1986, so it may be exempt from MOT and vehicle tax if it is unchanged.
- Gen 3 1980-1986
Gen 3: 1980-1986, early builds over 40.
3-door SUV. Over 40 for builds before 1 January 1986. Over 10 years old, so usually no approval. Cars built before 1 January 1986 may be exempt from MOT and vehicle tax. Later cars take an MOT.
- Gen 4 1987-1991
Gen 4: 1987-1991, over 10 years old.
3-door SUV. The start date is not confirmed, so we check the build date. Over 10 years old, so it usually needs no approval. It takes an MOT.
- Gen 5 1992-1996
Gen 5: 1992-1996, over 10 years old.
3-door SUV. Over 10 years old, so it usually needs no approval. It takes an MOT.
- Gen 6 2021-present
Gen 6: 2021-present, under 10 years old.
2-door, 4-door. Under 10 years old, so it needs an IVA before registration.
Written for 2026. Both lines roll forward each year, so more cars come into range as they age. The 40-year exemptions also need the vehicle to be unchanged.
What to check before you buy
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The title and the build date
DVLA wants the original US registration certificate to show when the car was made, and keeps it. The 10-year and 40-year tests run on the individual car, so read the build date off the title, not the advert.
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Roadworthiness
An older car has to be able to pass an MOT. A project car must be roadworthy before it can be registered. Keep photos of any restoration work.
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Changes to the car
The 40-year exemptions need the car to be unchanged. A substantial change to the chassis, shell, axles or engine within the last 30 years counts against it.
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London and the ULEZ
The ULEZ is judged on declared emissions, and a US import often has no Euro standard on its V5C. Vehicles built before 1 January 1973 are exempt, so the build date matters here too.
The test follows the car's own date, not its generation. gov.uk, vehicle approval and historic vehicles
What usually needs doing
The route is the same for every model. The lighting and approval stops are where the Ford Bronco differs.
- US kerbside
- Collect From anywhere in the USA
- Export filings The US paperwork a car needs to leave
- Ship Container or RoRo, marine insurance included
- Customs Our agents file the entry. NOVA within 14 days
- Lights Headlights, indicators, rear fog lamp and side repeaters, as the car needs
- Approval Gen 6 needs an IVA. Older Broncos take an MOT or may be exempt
- DVLA plate Registered on our dealer-level DVLA account
- UK plates
Common questions
Does a Bronco need an IVA to be registered in the UK?
It depends on the age of the car, not the badge. Under 10 years old means an IVA. A car over 10 years old usually needs no approval to be registered. Gen 6 (2021-present) is an IVA car. Every earlier Bronco is over 10 years old.
Which Bronco cars are over 40 years old?
Gen 1 and Gen 2 are, and so are early Gen 3 trucks built before 1 January 1986. The test applies to the individual car's build or first registration date, not to the generation. For vehicle tax in 2026, the cut-off is built before 1 January 1986. The MOT exemption uses its own rolling 40-year date, and the car must be unchanged.
Can I import the new Bronco?
Yes, as a US import under 10 years old, which means an IVA. Ford confirmed in July 2022 that limited numbers would go to selected left-hand-drive European markets from late 2023. The UK was not among them.
Could an old Bronco qualify for the reduced duty and VAT?
They may be. HMRC can treat a vehicle as a collector's piece if it is at least 30 years old, no longer in production and in original state, with duty at 0% and VAT at 5%. HMRC decides, so ask for a ruling before you ship.
Keep reading
- SUVs & 4x4s
The wider picture for suvs & 4x4s: tax, approval and the models we quote for.
- IVA or MOT?
Which test your American car takes, and what each involves.
- US export paperwork
The title, bill of sale and export filings a car needs to leave.
- All the models
The same age lines for every model we cover, side by side.
Bringing over a Ford Bronco?
Tell us the year and where it is. We come back with an itemised landed cost. No deposit, no obligation.