Ford VRT Calculator

Ford Import Value

Ford offers excellent value for Irish imports. Their EcoBoost technology delivers impressive efficiency, while competitive pricing keeps absolute VRT amounts reasonable even at higher percentage rates.

Ford VRT Sweet Spots

• Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost: Compact efficiency champion
• Focus 1.0 EcoBoost: Family car with low emissions
• Puma 1.0 EcoBoost: SUV styling with hatchback efficiency
• Mustang Mach-E: Electric performance with VRT relief

Ford Models and VRT Profiles

Ford imports to Ireland tend to focus on the EcoBoost petrol engines, and for good reason. The 1.0 EcoBoost is a remarkably efficient engine that delivers low CO2 figures across the Focus, Fiesta, and Puma range. That translates directly into lower VRT bills compared to older diesel Ford models.

VRT by Ford Model

• Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost (110g CO2): The 13.5% band applies. A 2021 Fiesta at 15,000 OMSP costs about 2,025 in VRT, making it one of the cheapest imports in its class.
• Focus 1.0 EcoBoost (125g CO2): Moves up to 16.75%. A 2021 Focus at 22,000 works out at roughly 3,685 in VRT.
• Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost (145g CO2): Hits the 21.5% band. The Kuga is a popular family SUV import, and at 30,000 OMSP you would be looking at around 6,450 in VRT.
• Mustang GT (260g+ CO2): The top 41% rate. A Mustang at 40,000 OMSP means roughly 16,400 in VRT, but the 5.0 V8 makes it worth it for enthusiasts.
• Mustang Mach-E (0g CO2): Electric relief of up to €5,000 (tapering to zero at €50,000 OMSP) brings VRT to €0. A 55,000 Mach-E costs about €0 in VRT.

The Diesel Question

Older Ford TDCi models, especially the Focus and Mondeo, were popular Irish imports for years. But with diesel demand softening and VRT rates rising for higher CO2 bands, the 1.0 and 1.5 EcoBoost petrols now offer better value. If you do go for a TDCi, a 2018 or newer model with a properly maintained DPF filter is the one to target. The Mondeo 2.0 TDCi in particular was a favourite for Irish buyers, but make sure the timing belt has been changed at the right intervals.

Ford Models and Their VRT Costs in Ireland

Not every Ford costs the same to import. The VRT bill depends on engine size, fuel type, and how much CO2 the car puts out. Some Ford models land in low VRT bands and end up costing very little to register. Others, particularly older diesels or performance variants, can sting you a bit more. Here is what you are actually looking at with the most common Ford imports.

Focus

The Focus is one of the most imported Fords in Ireland and for good reason. The 1.0 EcoBoost petrol versions sit in the 14 to 16 percent VRT bands depending on the exact year and spec. A 2020 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost with 125g/km CO2 at an OMSP of around 22,000 will cost roughly 3,520 in VRT. The diesel Focus 1.5 TDCi does slightly worse on CO2, landing in the 20 percent band, which pushes the same value car up to about 4,400. The ST line Focus in petrol is worth considering too, as it keeps emissions reasonable while giving you a bit more power.

Mondeo

The Mondeo was a favourite for Irish buyers bringing cars in from the UK, especially the 2.0 TDCi models. A 2019 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi at 28,000 OMSP with 150g/km CO2 lands in the 20 percent band, so you are looking at about 5,600 in VRT. The older pre-2018 Mondeos with higher CO2 figures can easily push into the 24 or 28 percent range, which makes them less attractive. The 1.5 EcoBoost petrol Mondeo is harder to find but does sit in a slightly better band.

Kuga

The Kuga is popular as a family SUV import and tends to come in petrol or diesel. The 1.5 EcoBoost petrol Kuga at 145g/km hits the 20 percent band, so a 30,000 OMSP car costs around 6,000 in VRT. The 2.0 TDCi diesel Kuga with 170 to 180g/km CO2 moves into the 24 to 28 percent range, which adds up quickly on a higher value car. The newer PHEV Kuga Hybrid is worth a look because it drops emissions notably and can cut the VRT bill in half.

Ranger

The Ranger is a different beast because it is classified as a commercial vehicle in some cases, which affects how VRT is applied. The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel Ranger with 250 to 270g/km CO2 sits in the 32 to 37 percent band, so on a 40,000 OMSP vehicle you could be looking at 12,800 to 14,800 in VRT. That is a lot. The commercial vehicle relief, where it applies, can bring that down notably, but you need to check with Revenue on whether your specific import qualifies. Double cab pickups have their own rules.

Puma

The Puma is basically a Fiesta-based crossover with a bootspace that makes it more practical than its size suggests. The 1.0 EcoBoost Puma at around 120 to 130g/km CO2 lands in the 14 to 16 percent band. At 20,000 OMSP you are looking at roughly 2,800 to 3,200 in VRT. The 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid Puma drops CO2 further and can sit in the 14 percent band comfortably. It is one of the cheaper Ford SUVs to bring into Ireland on the VRT side.

Ford's Transition to Hybrid and Electric

Ford has been pushing hard into hybrid and electric territory over the last few years. This matters for VRT because the lower the CO2 figure, the lower the band you land in. The difference between a 16 percent band and a 14 percent band might not sound like much, but on a 25,000 car that is an extra 500 you do not need to spend. On higher value cars the gap gets bigger fast.

Fiesta Hybrid

Ford brought in the Fiesta mild hybrid in some markets, though it was never a huge seller in Ireland. The 48V mild hybrid system does not dramatically reduce official CO2 figures for VRT purposes, but it does shave enough off to potentially drop you a band. If you find a 2021 Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost mild hybrid at around 100 to 110g/km, you are looking at the 14 percent band and a VRT bill of roughly 2,100 on a 15,000 car. The mild hybrid is not a full hybrid in the Toyota sense, so do not expect electric-only driving, but the efficiency gains are real in stop-start traffic.

Puma Hybrid

The Puma 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid is the more interesting option because Ford actually made it available in Ireland. The mild hybrid system brings CO2 down to around 110 to 120g/km depending on trim, which keeps you in the 14 percent band. At 22,000 OMSP that works out at roughly 3,080 in VRT. Compared to a non-hybrid Puma at 130g/km in the 16 percent band, you save about 440. Over a three-year ownership period that difference adds up, especially when you factor in the slightly better fuel economy in town driving.

Mustang Mach-E

The Mach-E is Ford's full electric SUV and it gets the best VRT deal of any Ford model. At 0g/km CO2 the electric vehicle relief brings the rate down to 5 percent, which is the minimum. A 2022 Mach-E at 55,000 OMSP costs about 2,750 in VRT. That is remarkably low for a car of that value. The catch is the price of the car itself. You are paying a premium for the electric drivetrain, so the VRT savings are partly offset by the higher OMSP. But if you were going to buy an electric SUV anyway, the VRT treatment on the Mach-E is hard to argue with.

Ford has said it will go fully electric in Europe by 2035, which means the models available for import will keep shifting toward lower CO2 options. For Irish buyers that is good news on the VRT front, though the second-hand market for these cars is still developing. Right now the pickings are slim, but in two or three years the supply should improve.

Ford Ranger - Popular Pickup and VRT

The Ranger is Ford's best-selling pickup in Ireland and it shows up in agricultural areas, construction sites, and increasingly on driveways in suburban Dublin. It is a proper working vehicle that also happens to be comfortable enough for the school run. But importing one comes with some VRT complications you need to understand before you commit.

The main issue is that the Ranger is a large diesel vehicle with high CO2 emissions. The 2.0 EcoBlue engine in the Wildtrak and XLT trims puts out between 250 and 270g/km of CO2 depending on the exact variant. That puts you in the 32 or 37 percent VRT band, which is the top end of the scale. On a 2021 Ranger Wildtrak at 42,000 OMSP with 260g/km CO2, you are looking at roughly 13,440 in VRT at the 32 percent rate. That is a serious chunk of money on top of the vehicle price.

The commercial vehicle angle is worth exploring. If the Ranger is registered as a commercial vehicle and you can demonstrate it is used primarily for work purposes, there may be relief available. But Revenue has tightened up on this in recent years. Single cab Rangers have a better case for commercial registration than double cabs. If you are buying a double cab for personal use, expect to pay the full VRT at the higher band.

The older Rangers with the 3.2 litre five-cylinder diesel are even worse for VRT because they put out 280g/km or more. Those sit firmly in the 37 percent band. The newer 2.0 EcoBlue is actually an improvement on the emissions front, even though it still lands high. If you are set on a Ranger import, the 2.0 EcoBlue in the lower-powered 213PS trim is the one to go for. It is still a capable truck but the CO2 is slightly lower, which might save you a few hundred euro on the VRT calculation.

Factor in the full cost before you buy. A Ranger at 40,000 with 13,000 in VRT plus shipping and customs means you could be paying 55,000 or more all-in. Make sure that stacks up against buying one locally or through a dealer who has already handled the VRT.

Importing a Ford from the UK

Plenty of Irish buyers still look to the UK for Ford imports, even after Brexit changed the financial maths. The UK market has a bigger selection, particularly for higher-spec models and newer registrations, and prices can be lower than the Irish second-hand market. But you need to know what you are getting into with the costs.

The Process

First, you buy the car from a UK dealer or private seller. You will need to arrange shipping or collection. Several companies operate ferry services from Holyhead to Dublin or Rosslare, and you can also get the car trucked over. Shipping typically costs between 300 and 800 euro depending on where the car is in the UK and how you get it here.

Once the car arrives in Ireland you have 30 days to register it with Revenue. You need to complete the VRT registration process at a motor tax office or through the Revenue online system. Bring the UK registration document (V5C), your proof of purchase, ID, and proof of insurance. Revenue will assess the car's OMSP based on the make, model, engine, year, and mileage. They use their own database, not the price you paid, so do not assume a lower purchase price means lower VRT.

Customs and VAT

Since Brexit, importing from the UK means paying customs duty at 10 percent on top of the vehicle price, plus VAT at 23 percent on the combined value of the car plus customs duty. On a 20,000 car that works out at roughly 2,000 in customs duty and about 5,260 in VAT. Some vehicles may qualify for a reduced customs rate depending on the rules of origin under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, but this is complicated and you should check with a customs broker.

The total extra cost on top of the purchase price is usually between 8,000 and 12,000 euro when you add customs duty, VAT, shipping, and insurance. That changes the equation quite a bit compared to what it was before 2021. For a Ford Focus at 20,000 in the UK, the all-in cost including VRT, customs, VAT, and shipping could easily hit 30,000 or more. You need to compare that against what a similar car costs in the Irish market before you commit.

What to Watch For

Check the car's service history carefully. UK cars sometimes have different service intervals than Irish cars. Make sure the DPF filter has been maintained on any diesel model. Get an independent inspection if you cannot see the car in person. Some UK cars have been in accidents that are not obvious from photos. Also check if the car has outstanding finance or has been written off. The HPI check in the UK is equivalent to the Irish vehicle history check and you should run one before you buy.

Ford VRT Cost Examples

Here are three worked examples showing how VRT adds up on common Ford imports. These use the current CO2 bands and assume standard age depreciation rules. Your actual VRT may differ slightly based on Revenue's valuation of your specific car.

Example 1 - Focus 1.5 TDCi (2020)

You find a 2020 Focus 1.5 TDCi in the UK priced at 18,000. The car has 140g/km CO2, which puts it in the 20 percent VRT band. The OMSP as assessed by Revenue comes in at 22,000 (they tend to value slightly above the purchase price). The car is two years old at the time of import, so a 10 percent age depreciation is applied to the OMSP. That brings the adjusted value to 19,800. The VRT at 20 percent is 3,960. Add in customs duty of 1,800, VAT of about 4,788, shipping of 500, and you are looking at roughly 11,048 in total costs on top of the 18,000 purchase price. The all-in cost is around 29,048 for a car that would sell for about 26,000 in the Irish market. It is tight, but the UK car might have a better spec or lower mileage that makes the difference.

Example 2 - Kuga 2.0 TDCi (2021)

A 2021 Kuga 2.0 TDCi AWD in the XLT trim at 28,000 from a UK dealer. The CO2 is 175g/km, which lands in the 24 percent band. Revenue's OMSP assessment comes in at 32,000. The car is one year old, so a 10 percent age reduction applies, bringing the adjusted value to 28,800. The VRT at 24 percent is 6,912. Customs duty is 2,800, VAT is about 7,896, and shipping is 600. Total additional costs come to roughly 18,208. All-in cost is about 46,208. Compare that to a similar Kuga in the Irish market at around 42,000 and you are paying a premium for the import, though the UK car may have the spec you want.

Example 3 - Ranger 2.0 EcoBlue (2022)

A 2022 Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 EcoBlue at 44,000 from a UK dealer. The CO2 is 260g/km, putting it in the 32 percent band. Revenue's OMSP is assessed at 48,000. At one year old the age depreciation is 10 percent, so the adjusted value is 43,200. The VRT is 13,824. Customs duty is 4,400, VAT is about 11,560, and shipping is 700. Total additional costs are around 30,484. The all-in price is 74,484. That is a lot for a pickup, and it explains why many Irish buyers look at buying Rangers through dealers who have already registered them and absorbed the VRT into their pricing.

These examples are estimates. Revenue's OMSP database is updated regularly and your specific car may be valued differently. Use our calculator above to get a more precise figure for your exact model and year.

Ford Diesel vs Petrol VRT Comparison

Ford has been transitioning its engine range from diesel to petrol over the past few years, and this shift has notable implications for VRT. The old assumption that a diesel Ford is the most economical choice no longer holds true. The combination of CO2-based VRT, the NOx levy, and changing buyer preferences means petrol Fords now offer better overall value for most importers.

A Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost petrol produces around 125g/km CO2, which puts it in the 16 percent VRT band. The Focus 1.5 TDCi diesel produces about 140g/km, which is also in the 16 percent band. On a car valued at 22,000 OMSP, both have a VRT of roughly 3,520 before age relief. However, the diesel Focus attracts a NOx levy of 600 to 1,200 depending on the year, while the petrol Focus has no NOx levy. That means the petrol Focus saves you 600 to 1,200 on the total tax bill. The petrol also has lower annual road tax at 200 euros compared to the diesel's 270 euros.

The gap widens on larger models. The Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost petrol produces around 145g/km CO2, sitting in the 20 percent band. The Kuga 2.0 TDCi diesel produces about 170g/km, which puts it in the 24 percent band. On a car at 30,000 OMSP, the petrol Kuga has a VRT of 6,000, while the diesel costs 7,200. With the NOx levy adding 800 to 1,500 on top, the diesel's total tax is 8,000 to 8,700 compared to 6,000 for the petrol. The diesel Kuga costs you 2,000 to 2,700 more in tax. The only scenario where diesel makes sense is if you do over 30,000 kilometres a year, where the fuel economy advantage of the diesel can offset the higher tax within three to four years.

Best Ford Models for VRT Value in 2026

Ford's range offers some of the most VRT-efficient models in the Irish import market, particularly the smaller EcoBoost petrol engines. The brand's focus on affordable, efficient vehicles means that even at higher VRT percentage rates, the absolute cost in euros remains manageable. Here are the Ford models that currently offer the best balance of purchase price, VRT cost, and long-term value.

The Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost is the king of VRT value in the Ford range. With CO2 emissions as low as 110g/km, it sits in the 14 percent VRT band. A 2021 Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium with an OMSP of 15,000 would cost roughly 2,100 in VRT before age relief. The Fiesta is cheap to insure, fuel-efficient, and parts are widely available in Ireland. For a first-time import or a budget-conscious buyer, the Fiesta offers the lowest total cost of any Ford import. The 1.0 EcoBoost engine is surprisingly refined for a three-cylinder and delivers adequate performance for daily driving.

The Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost is the best family car option for VRT efficiency. With CO2 around 125g/km, it sits in the 16 percent band. A 2021 Focus 1.0 EcoBoost Trend with an OMSP of 22,000 would cost roughly 3,520 in VRT before age relief. The Focus offers more space than the Fiesta while maintaining excellent fuel economy. The ST-Line trim is popular with Irish buyers and holds its value well. The 1.0 EcoBoost engine in the Focus is surprisingly capable, with 125 horsepower in the standard version and 155 horsepower in the higher-output version.

The Ford Puma 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid is the smart VRT play in the compact SUV segment. With CO2 emissions around 120g/km, it sits in the 14 percent band. A 2021 Puma 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid with an OMSP of 22,000 would cost roughly 3,080 in VRT before age relief. The mild hybrid system reduces CO2 by about 5 to 10g/km compared to the non-hybrid version, which can make the difference between the 14 percent and 16 percent bands. The Puma offers SUV styling and practicality with hatchback running costs. It is one of the most VRT-efficient SUVs in the entire Irish market.

Ford Import Considerations: UK vs Mainland Europe

While the vast majority of Ford imports to Ireland come from the UK, some buyers consider importing from mainland Europe. The choice is worth examining because Fords from different markets have different specifications, pricing, and VRT implications. Understanding the trade-offs helps you make an informed decision.

UK imports are by far the most common for Ford models, and for good reason. UK Fords are right-hand drive, which is what the Irish market demands. The specifications are similar to what you find in Ireland, with the same engine options, trim levels, and infotainment systems. The UK market also has excellent supply of Ford models because it is one of the brand's strongest markets in Europe. A 2021 Focus in the UK is easy to find in any trim and colour combination you want. The import process is well-established and the VRT calculation is predictable because Revenue has extensive data on UK Ford models.

Mainland European Fords are typically left-hand drive and are less attractive to Irish buyers. A left-hand drive Ford will sell for 15 to 25 percent less on the Irish used market than an equivalent right-hand drive car, which means you lose a large portion of the initial VRT investment when you come to sell. The only exception is if the car is a rare or desirable model that was not sold in the UK, such as some special-edition Fiesta ST models or the Ford Focus RS in certain colours. For standard Ford models, a left-hand drive import is almost never worth the VRT and resale value penalty.

Japanese market Fords are a niche option that some importers consider. Japanese cars are generally well-maintained and have lower mileage than UK cars of the same age. However, Japanese Fords often have different specifications, including navigation systems that do not support Irish maps, radio frequencies that differ from Irish bands, and speedometers in kilometres rather than miles per hour. The OMSP for Japanese imports tends to be higher because of their typically lower mileage and cleaner condition, which increases the VRT. For most Ford importers, the UK market remains the best source by a wide margin.