Ford Taurus

Importing a used Ford Taurus from the USA

The Ford Taurus is one of those cars that barely registers in Germany yet defined the American full-size sedan for a generation. That mismatch is exactly why importing one can be rewarding: it is a big, comfortable, quietly quick four-door that almost nobody else on your street will have, and the US used market is full of them. The variant that draws real enthusiasm is the SHO — a twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive sleeper that is essentially a German-style Autobahn cruiser wearing a plain Ford badge. USCar Trader works as an independent broker to help you find, check and ship a used Taurus; we do not sell the car ourselves and we add no vehicle margin.

A useful point for cost planning: the modern Taurus was built at Ford's Chicago Assembly plant in the United States. A genuinely US-built car can qualify for the 0% EU import duty for goods of proven US origin — always subject to VIN and plant verification. We cover the details below.

Model history: years and generations

The Taurus has had two lives. The original front-drive family sedan ran from 1986 through four generations to 2007, including the famous jelly-bean third generation (1996–1999). Ford then revived the nameplate on a larger platform: the fifth generation (2008–2009) was a rebadged Ford Five Hundred, and the sixth and final generation (2010–2019) was the big D3/D4-platform sedan most worth importing today. That last car is the one that offered the SHO performance model and served widely as the Police Interceptor Sedan, which is why so many clean, well-maintained examples exist in the used pool.

Engines, transmissions and drive

The volume engine in the 2010–2019 Taurus is the 3.5-litre Duratec V6, making roughly 263–288 hp depending on year, driving the front wheels or all four through a six-speed automatic (the 6F transaxle). A 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo-four (about 240 hp) was offered for economy. The headline unit is the SHO's 3.5-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 — around 365 hp and 475 Nm — with standard all-wheel drive and, on the Performance Package, upgraded brakes and cooling. It is a genuinely rapid car that shrugs off long distances, which is precisely what a German buyer tends to want.

Equipment lines and body styles

The Taurus is a four-door sedan only. US trims ran SE, SEL, Limited and SHO, with the SHO sitting at the top on power and equipment. Look for features such as heated and cooled front seats, adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, the SYNC infotainment system and, on later cars, a large touchscreen. Ex-fleet Police Interceptor cars turn up too; these are heavy-duty but often high-mileage, so judge them on documentation rather than the badge.

The US used market

Because the sixth-generation Taurus sold in big numbers to private owners, fleets and police departments, availability is excellent and the spread of years and mileages is wide. Typical private examples show 80,000 to 200,000 km. As always, dry-state cars from the south and west come with cleaner underbodies than rust-belt examples. SHO models command a premium and a following; standard V6 Limited cars are the comfortable mainstream choice. We evaluate each car on its history and inspection rather than quoting Euro prices.

Is an import right for you?

A Taurus suits the buyer who wants an unusual, spacious, relaxed cruiser — or, in SHO form, a discreet fast sedan — with the added appeal of genuine US origin that can help on the customs side. It is also a sensible pick if you want a large, soft-riding automatic for long motorway trips at a used price point with plenty of choice.

Specs at a glance

Common issues buyers should know

The 3.5 Duratec V6 is a durable engine, but it hides an important trap: the water pump is internal, driven off the timing chain, so a failed pump can leak coolant into the crankcase and, if ignored, ruin the engine. Treat any coolant-loss history seriously and factor pump replacement into an older car. The 6F six-speed automatic is generally solid but dislikes neglected fluid; ask for service evidence. On all-wheel-drive cars the power transfer unit (PTU) can wear, and the door handles, throttle body and some electronic modules are known niggles. The EcoBoost engines add turbo and intercooler condensation considerations. As with any US import, buy on documented maintenance rather than optimism.

Differences from the European version

US Tauruses use amber front turn signals, US-spec headlamps and no rear fog lamp, a miles-per-hour speedometer and US navigation and units in SYNC. Equipment levels are often generous. Mechanically the car is identical to what you would import; the changes needed for German roads are about lighting and documentation, not engineering.

Import step by step

The route is: choose the car and arrange a remote or in-person inspection; verify the VIN, build plant and full history; pay through escrow so money is released only on agreed milestones; move the car to the export port and book ocean freight (container or RoRo); land at a European port such as Bremerhaven or Rotterdam; clear customs with duty and import VAT; pass TÜV / individual approval (§21 StVZO) with any required changes; and register the car in Germany. USCar Trader coordinates every stage as your intermediary.

Customs and taxes: what applies

Key point: duty depends on the plant of build; only a VIN check secures the 0% rate. Import VAT of 19% applies regardless.

The Taurus was built in the USA, so with a VIN and plant that prove US origin it can qualify for the 0% preferential EU import duty introduced under Regulations (EU) 2026/1455 and 2026/1461 (in force since 1 July 2026, for direct transport, through 31 December 2029). This is never automatic or "guaranteed": origin must be documented, and if it cannot be proven the standard 10% car duty applies. Regardless of duty, the 19% German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) always applies and is calculated separately on the value including any duty and freight. We confirm the likely position from the VIN before you commit.

Modifications and single-vehicle approval

Expect to fit a rear fog lamp, convert the lighting to European standard (rear signal function and headlamp compliance), verify a km/h speedometer and record the odometer reading in kilometres. The Taurus is a conventional, well-understood platform, so individual approval is usually straightforward with the correct paperwork and a clean inspection.

What to verify before buying

Common questions

Can a used Ford Taurus qualify for 0% EU import duty?

Yes, if the VIN and build plant prove US origin the 0% preferential rate can apply. It is never guaranteed, and the 19% German import VAT always applies separately.

What is special about the Taurus SHO?

The SHO uses a 3.5-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 with around 365 hp and standard all-wheel drive, making it a fast, discreet full-size sedan.

Is the 3.5 Duratec V6 reliable?

Broadly yes, but the internal water pump is a known weak point; a coolant leak there can damage the engine, so buy on cooling-system history.

Which generation should I import?

The 2010–2019 sixth generation is the most relevant today, offering the SHO and modern equipment on the large D3/D4 platform.

Are ex-police Taurus cars worth importing?

They can be, but Police Interceptor sedans are heavy-duty and often high-mileage, so judge them strictly on documentation and inspection.

How long does the import take?

Usually several weeks in total: ocean freight is commonly two to five weeks, plus port handling, customs clearance and German registration.

Will it pass TÜV?

Yes, after fitting a rear fog lamp, converting the lighting and confirming the speedometer and odometer are in metric units.

Does USCar Trader own the car?

No. We are an independent broker and intermediary for used vehicles only; we do not hold stock or add a vehicle margin.

Start here: browse Ford in the Carhub, look at related sedans such as the Fusion and the Crown Victoria, or the flagship Mustang Mach-E, and view current Taurus listings.