Importing a Ford F-150 to the UK
Six generations since 1992, all under 40 years old. Older trucks depend on the build date.
What we know about the Ford F-150
- Generations
- 6 generations, from 1992 to today. Years are for the F-Series generations from the 9th.
- Body styles
- Regular cab, SuperCab and SuperCrew, depending on the generation.
- Over 40 in 2026
- None of the generations listed here. Earlier F-Series trucks depend on the build date, so send us the VIN.
- Needs IVA
- 14th gen (IVA). 13th gen (IVA or MOT, by build date).
- Official sale in Europe
- A left-hand-drive launch since 2022, Germany first.
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 10 years old
- Either side of 10 years
- Under 10 years old
- 9th gen 1992-1997
9th gen: 1992-1997, over 10 years old.
Regular cab, SuperCab. Over 10 years old, so it usually needs no approval. It takes an MOT.
- 10th gen 1997-2004
10th gen: 1997-2004, over 10 years old.
Regular cab, SuperCab, SuperCrew from 2001. Over 10 years old, so it usually needs no approval. It takes an MOT.
- 11th gen 2004-2008
11th gen: 2004-2008, over 10 years old.
Regular cab, SuperCab, SuperCrew. Over 10 years old, so it usually needs no approval. It takes an MOT.
- 12th gen 2009-2014
12th gen: 2009-2014, over 10 years old.
Regular cab, SuperCab, SuperCrew. Over 10 years old, so it usually needs no approval. It takes an MOT.
- 13th gen 2015-2020
13th gen: 2015-2020, either side of 10 years.
Regular cab, SuperCab, SuperCrew. Sits on the 10-year line. Older examples take an MOT, newer ones need an IVA. The build date decides, so we read it off the paperwork first.
- 14th gen 2021-present
14th gen: 2021-present, under 10 years old.
Regular cab, SuperCab, SuperCrew. 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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How HMRC classes it
A double cab with permanent seats, seat belts and passenger fittings is treated as a car. One built mainly to carry cargo is treated as a goods vehicle. We confirm the classification before you commit.
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Older trucks
We have not confirmed build years for the 1970s and 1980s trucks, so for those we ask for the VIN and the title before saying anything about the 40-year rules.
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Lighting
The usual US work is headlights that dip the right way for UK roads, amber indicators, a rear fog lamp and side repeaters. Newer cars cost more to convert than older ones.
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 F-150 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 IVA for newer trucks, MOT for older ones, done on site
- DVLA plate Registered on our dealer-level DVLA account
- UK plates
Common questions
Does a F-150 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. The 14th generation is an IVA truck and the 13th straddles the line. The 9th to 12th generations are over 10 years old. Pickups go up on the four-post lifts in our lane for the underbody checks.
Is the F-150 sold new in the UK?
We have not confirmed that it is. Ford has launched it officially in Europe in left-hand drive since 2022, starting in Germany.
Does an F-150 pay duty as a car or as a goods vehicle?
That depends on how HMRC classes the truck. A double cab with permanent seats and passenger fittings is a car. One built mainly for cargo is a goods vehicle. We confirm which before you commit, and HMRC will give a ruling if it is unclear.
What about F-150s from the 1970s and 1980s?
We have not confirmed the build years for those trucks, so we go by the VIN and title of the actual truck. Some may be old enough for the 40-year exemptions. Send us the details and we will say.
Keep reading
- Pickup trucks
The wider picture for pickup trucks: tax, approval and the models we quote for.
- UK customs, duty and VAT
NOVA, the 10% duty, the 20% VAT and the historic vehicle rate.
- IVA or MOT?
Which test your American car takes, and what each involves.
- All the models
The same age lines for every model we cover, side by side.
Bringing over a Ford F-150?
Tell us the year and where it is. We come back with an itemised landed cost. No deposit, no obligation.