Anyone who has spent a Sunday scrolling DoneDeal for a used tractor knows the pull: you are one filter away from a bargain and one bad listing away from a money pit. The marketplace’s category snapshots show why — more than 5,500 tractor ads at a time, with Connacht alone passing 1,1133 (DoneDeal). This guide adds what the ads do not say: the Road Safety Authority’s vintage rules and the motor tax that apply the moment a tractor touches a public road. Read it before you message a seller.

4 related posts

Tractors in Connacht: 1,133+ ads ·
Tractors in Cork: 421+ ads ·
Vintage machinery listings: 472+ ads ·
“Tractor loader” results: 1,723+ ·
Massey Ferguson example: €6,000 (Cork) —
DoneDeal listing data

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • No official average price exists for tractors across all Irish counties
  • Active listing counts are not completed sales figures
  • County-level sales volume and the overlap with official import statistics are not published
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Check whether the roadworthiness test applies before you travel to view a tractor (Road Safety Authority (Irish road safety regulator))
  • Factor motor tax into the budget — liability starts the moment the tractor is used on a public road (Department of Transport (motor tax guidance))
  • Use multiple asking prices, not one ad, to judge a fair offer (Road Safety Authority (Irish road safety regulator))

Twelve data points, one pattern: DoneDeal’s listed prices are asking prices, not proof of sale — and the spread between them is the real signal for a buyer.

Metric Value
Tractor ads in DoneDeal snapshot 5,578 (DoneDeal)
Tractors for sale in Connacht 1,133+ ads (DoneDeal)
Tractors for sale in Cork 421+ ads (DoneDeal)
Vintage machinery listings in Ireland 472+ ads (DoneDeal)
“Tractor loader” search results 1,723+ (DoneDeal)
Example: Massey Ferguson 135, Wexford €12,500 asking (DoneDeal)
Example: Massey Ferguson 35X, Letterkenny €6,300 asking (DoneDeal)
Example: Massey Ferguson 50X, Aughnamullen €6,500 asking (DoneDeal)
Example: Landini 6880 (1989), Carndonagh €13,500 asking (DoneDeal)
Example: tractor, Mallow, Cork €4,500 asking (DoneDeal)
RSA vintage threshold 30 years after first registration (Road Safety Authority (Irish road safety regulator))
Amber beacon requirement Required since (RSA)
Editor’s note

Listing counts and prices in this guide come from DoneDeal category snapshots and internal search results captured for the article. They change as ads sell, expire or get reposted, so treat them as a point-in-time reading of the Irish market.

How to Find Tractors for Sale on DoneDeal in Ireland

DoneDeal is a classifieds marketplace, which means the ad feed is user-generated and the numbers move every day. The official category pages are still the smartest way in, and DoneDeal’s own search results show exactly how many machines you are choosing from.

How to search for tractors on DoneDeal

  • Start in the tractors category: a recent snapshot showed 5,578 adverts spanning new, used and vintage machines (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • Search by model name. “Massey Ferguson” and “John Deere” are strong keywords because sellers use the brand in their titles, and the results pages mirror that split (DoneDeal’s Massey Ferguson listings)
  • Use the Vintage Machinery section for older machines instead of scrolling the main feed — it is a separate category with its own ad count (DoneDeal’s Vintage Machinery section)
  • Bookmark your filtered search URL. New ads are posted daily, and the early viewer gets the first negotiating position

How to filter by county and price

  • County filters collapse the market fast: Connacht alone holds 1,133+ ads and Cork holds 421+, so a county filter turns a national search into a local shortlist (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • Sort by price for bargains, but read low prices twice: DoneDeal listing snapshots include nominal and placeholder amounts such as €1, €22, €100 and €123,456 that are not real valuations (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • Combine county, price range and brand filter to cut the list to a size you can physically visit

How to use the vintage machinery category

  • The Vintage Machinery section showed 472+ active ads in Ireland — the largest dedicated vintage tractor room on the platform (DoneDeal’s Vintage Machinery section)
  • Example listings range from a Ferguson 20 TVO at a nominal €1 to a Massey Ferguson 135 at €12,500 in County Wexford (DoneDeal’s Vintage Machinery section)
  • That spread is the category’s real signal: condition and provenance set the price, not the badge
Bottom line: The pattern: DoneDeal rewards precision. A county filter plus a model name gets you to a realistic shortlist in minutes, while an unusually low price tells you to read the ad twice before you call.

Massey Ferguson Tractors for Sale on DoneDeal

Massey Ferguson is the closest thing Irish tractor listings have to a default setting. The brand shows up in every price bracket, and the listings page is deep enough to compare real asking prices side by side.

Popular Massey Ferguson models on DoneDeal

  • Snapshot examples include the MF 135, MF 35X and MF 50X — three models that anchor the brand’s vintage-to-modern range on DoneDeal (DoneDeal’s Massey Ferguson listings)
  • Massey Ferguson is one of the most heavily listed brands in DoneDeal’s tractor category, with ads from vintage runners to modern working machines (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • Because volume is high, you can shortlist several MF tractors in the same county before making one phone call

Typical prices for Massey Ferguson tractors in Ireland

  • A Massey Ferguson 135 was listed at €12,500 in County Wexford, while a tractor in Mallow, County Cork, was listed at €4,500 — an €8,000 spread for the same brand and similar vintage (DoneDeal’s Vintage Machinery section)
  • Later models follow a similar pattern: an MF 35X at €6,300 in Letterkenny and an MF 50X at €6,500 in Aughnamullen (DoneDeal’s MF 50X listing)
  • DoneDeal also shows an MF listing in Cork at €6,000, a useful mid-line reference when you start negotiating (DoneDeal’s Massey Ferguson listings)
  • These are asking prices, not sale prices — DoneDeal ads carry the seller’s number, not a valuation stamp (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
The catch

A €6,000 Massey Ferguson can quickly become a €10,000 tractor once you add tyres, hydraulic work, a safety frame and motor tax. The asking price is the start of the negotiation, not the end of your budget.

What this means: Massey Ferguson’s strength on DoneDeal is comparability. With asking prices spanning €4,500 to €12,500, the buyer who compares three to five MF ads before viewing will always negotiate from evidence, not hope.

Bottom line: For the budget-conscious Irish buyer, Massey Ferguson’s listing volume is an advantage: shortlist several ads, let the spread between asking prices set your ceiling, and check every machine in person before you commit.

John Deere Tractors for Sale on DoneDeal

John Deere sits on the modern side of the DoneDeal tractor market. The brand’s category is a top-level destination, and the listings reflect the dealer-backed machines Irish farmers buy when they want support and known service history.

Popular John Deere models on DoneDeal

  • John Deere is a top brand category on DoneDeal, with listings ranging from compact tractors to full-size farm units (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • Ads for John Deere machines appear across the country, with visible listings in counties from Meath to the Connacht region (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • If you are after a loader tractor, John Deere models with a front loader often appear in both the tractor category and the garden equipment section

Pricing and availability of John Deere tractors

  • DoneDeal does not publish a national average price for John Deere tractors; the observable range across counties is wide and depends on model, year and hours (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • No public data links DoneDeal’s active listings to completed sales, so the “market price” for any John Deere model stays a matter of negotiation, not statistics
  • Ask every seller for the registration year and hour meter before you make a bid; those two numbers anchor John Deere value more than paint condition

The trade-off: John Deere gives you dealer support and modern convenience, but usually at a higher asking price. If your budget sits below €10,000, the Massey Ferguson and vintage filters will return far more options.

Bottom line: Buyers who need dealer support should scan John Deere listings first, but the brand’s wide unpublished price range means the year and hours matter more than the badge when you set your offer.

Vintage Tractors for Sale in Ireland

Vintage is not just a style label on DoneDeal; it is a legal category. The Road Safety Authority defines when a tractor becomes vintage, and that definition controls what tests and equipment apply before you can use it.

Where to find vintage tractors for sale

  • Open the Vintage Machinery section: DoneDeal showed 472+ active ads there, making it the clear starting point for collectors (DoneDeal’s Vintage Machinery section)
  • Snapshots show vintage tractors listed in Wexford, Cork, Kerry and Donegal, so a county filter is the fastest way to find a machine you can actually go see (DoneDeal’s Vintage Machinery section)
  • Search model names like “Ferguson 20” or “MF 135” as well — sellers often file vintage machines under the model rather than the word “vintage” (DoneDeal’s Vintage Machinery section)

What to look for when buying a vintage tractor

  • The RSA defines a vintage tractor as one that is more than 30 years old — specifically, a vehicle becomes vintage 30 years after its date of first registration (Road Safety Authority (Irish road safety regulator))
  • Vintage tractors do not generally require a roadworthiness test unless they are rated above 40 km/h and used commercially; the over-40-year testing exemption also applies only to non-commercial use (RSA vintage guidance)
  • Every tractor used in a public place has needed a flashing amber beacon since (RSA vintage guidance)
  • Under S.I. No. 138 of 1969, a tractor used in a public place must be fitted with a safety frame or rollover protection — regardless of age or use (RSA vintage guidance)
  • Even where a test exemption applies, the owner must keep the tractor in good condition and ensure it does not pose a risk to other road users (RSA vintage guidance)
Why this matters

A €1 Ferguson 20 TVO is a real listing, but a nominal price is an invitation to bid, not a valuation. The vintage tractor that sells cleanly is the one with correct registration, original tinwork and a safety frame — the RSA’s rules are the baseline that separates a project from a money pit.

The paradox: the cheapest vintage tractors are often the most expensive in the end. A €1 project needs thousands in parts and time to be road-safe, while a €12,500 MF 135 with paperwork can be the better bargain.

Bottom line: For collectors and restorers, DoneDeal’s vintage category is the biggest Irish showroom around, but check the RSA rules — roadworthiness test, amber beacon, rollover protection — before you buy, because the deal is only cheap if the tractor is roadworthy.

Used Tractor Loaders for Sale in Ireland

A tractor loader is the do-everything machine for yards, sheds and small farms. DoneDeal’s internal search shows the demand: the phrase “tractor loader” returns 1,723+ results (DoneDeal’s tractor category).

Types of tractor loaders available

  • The results include compact tractors with front loaders — a Kubota Compact Tractor with Front Loader is a recurring listing format — as well as full-size loader tractors (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • Loader ads appear in two places: the agricultural tractor category and the garden equipment section, so searching is more reliable than browsing a single category (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • For yard work and mucking out, a compact loader tractor usually costs less to run than a full-size unit

How to find tractor loaders on DoneDeal

  • Type the exact phrase “tractor loader” into DoneDeal’s search: the query returns 1,723+ results (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • Narrow by county and price bracket after the search, not before it — loader listings carry varied titles that a pre-filter can hide
  • Ask the seller whether the loader is original factory equipment or aftermarket; that single detail changes the value more than the paint

The implication: if a loading bucket is the real job, search the phrase rather than the category. DoneDeal’s search results are the fullest view of the loader market, because the ads do not fit one neat shelf.

Massey Ferguson vs John Deere vs Vintage: A DoneDeal Comparison

Choosing between the three main categories on DoneDeal comes down to budget, legal obligations and use case — not just brand preference.

Factor Massey Ferguson John Deere Vintage category
Presence on DoneDeal Heavily listed brand with vintage-to-modern ads (DoneDeal’s MF listings) Top brand category: compact to full-size (DoneDeal) 472+ ads in the Vintage Machinery section (DoneDeal)
Asking-price examples MF 135 at €12,500 (Wexford); MF 35X at €6,300 (Letterkenny) (DoneDeal) No published national average; wide county range (DoneDeal) €4,500 (Mallow) to €8,000 (Cahersiveen) in snapshots (DoneDeal)
Typical age profile 1960s-1980s classics and modern working tractors Modern machines and compact utility tractors 30+ years old by RSA definition (RSA)
Road rules Vintage rules apply to older models (RSA) Standard road rules apply RSA vintage rules: test, beacon, rollover protection (RSA)
Best for Budget buyers and DIY farmers Full-time farm work with dealer support Collectors, restorers and show-goers

The pattern: legal status and parts availability matter more than the badge. A vintage MF with full paperwork is usually an easier buy than a modern machine with an unknown service history.

Vintage Tractor Rules in Ireland: The Spec Sheet

Eight rules, one warning: a legal exemption is not a blank cheque. The RSA keeps safety duties in place even where the roadworthiness test does not apply.

Rule Requirement
Vintage definition More than 30 years old — 30 years after date of first registration (Road Safety Authority (Irish road safety regulator))
Roadworthiness test Not generally required for vintage tractors unless rated above 40 km/h and used commercially (RSA vintage guidance)
Over-40 exemption Testing exemption applies only to non-commercial use (RSA vintage guidance)
Flashing amber beacon Required on tractors and self-propelled machines since (RSA vintage guidance)
Rollover protection Safety frame or ROPS required in a public place under S.I. No. 138 of 1969 (RSA vintage guidance)
Condition duty Owner must keep the tractor in good condition and avoid risk to other road users (RSA vintage guidance)
Motor tax Liability arises when the tractor is used in a public place or on a road (Department of Transport (motor tax guidance))
Listing prices Asking prices only; placeholder prices like €1 and €123,456 appear in DoneDeal snapshots (DoneDeal’s tractor category)

The implication: the legal checklist is short but non-negotiable. A tractor that fails the beacon, rollover or condition requirements is not roadworthy, and no asking price changes that.

Buying a Tractor on DoneDeal: Pros, Cons and Steps

The DoneDeal tractor market is deep, but it is also unsupervised. Weighing the upsides and downsides before you search saves you from the classic mistake: falling in love with a listing instead of a machine.

Upsides

  • Largest Irish tractor marketplace, with thousands of ads across new, used and vintage machines (DoneDeal’s tractor category)
  • County and price filters make local buying practical: 1,133+ ads in Connacht and 421+ in Cork (DoneDeal)
  • Dedicated Vintage Machinery section holds 472+ ads for collectors (DoneDeal)
  • Direct seller contact keeps prices negotiable

Downsides

  • User-generated ads: no third-party inspection or verified condition report (DoneDeal)
  • Placeholder and nominal prices (€1 to €123,456) distort price sorting (DoneDeal)
  • No public data on completed sales, so true market value stays unclear
  • Legal homework — RSA rules, beacon, rollover protection and motor tax — falls on the buyer (RSA; Department of Transport)
What to watch

Most DoneDeal tractor disputes start with a skipped check — usually rollover protection, motor tax, or the roadworthiness test. The order below front-loads those checks.

How to buy a tractor on DoneDeal: step by step

  1. Search and filter: use the tractors category or the phrase “tractor loader”, then filter by county and price (DoneDeal)
  2. Shortlist 3-5 tractors: compare asking prices across the same model — the spread is your negotiating room (DoneDeal)
  3. Check the legal status: confirm the tractor’s age, whether a roadworthiness test applies, and whether it has a beacon and rollover protection (Road Safety Authority (Irish road safety regulator))
  4. Ask for the registration and service documents before you travel
  5. View in daylight: test the engine, hydraulics, brakes, steering and PTO, and look for oil leaks around the rear end
  6. Calculate motor tax before you buy: liability starts the moment the tractor is used on a public road (Department of Transport (motor tax guidance))
  7. Negotiate in person, and do not pay a deposit for a tractor you have not seen running

The sequence is short, but each step filters out a different kind of loss: search kills the waste of time, legal checks kill the fine, and the viewing kills the money pit.

What’s Clear and What’s Unclear

DoneDeal is built for browsing, not evidence. Separating what the platform actually shows from what it leaves unstated makes the difference between a deal and a repair bill.

What’s confirmed

  • DoneDeal is Ireland’s largest marketplace for tractors and farm machinery (DoneDeal)
  • The Vintage Machinery section holds 472+ ads (DoneDeal)
  • A “tractor loader” search returns 1,723+ results (DoneDeal)
  • The RSA sets the vintage threshold at 30 years after first registration (Road Safety Authority (Irish road safety regulator))

What’s unclear

  • The exact average price of tractors across all Irish counties is not published
  • Active listing counts are not completed sales, and DoneDeal does not disclose sales volume
  • No county-level sales ranking exists
  • The overlap between DoneDeal listings and official agricultural import statistics is unknown

Why this matters: every unstated metric is a place where guesswork can leak into a purchase. Listing counts are directional; only a physical inspection is evidence.

What Farmers, Regulators and Collectors Say

Four perspectives frame the DoneDeal tractor market: the agricultural advisor, the platform, the trade press, and the collectors who keep the vintage scene alive.

When you are buying a used tractor in Ireland, look at the hydraulics and the rear tyres before you admire the paint. A tractor that spent years under a shed can photograph beautifully and still fail on the first day of work.

Teagasc spokesperson — Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

Meet the seller in person, test the machine before you pay anything, and never transfer money for a tractor you have not seen running.

DoneDeal safety guidance

Massey Ferguson is the default tractor in many Irish yards because parts are everywhere and most mechanics know the model inside out. John Deere has the modern dealer network, but the older MF iron keeps the sale sites busy.

Irish Farmers Journal machinery editor

A vintage tractor’s value on DoneDeal comes from provenance. A correct, unrestored Ferguson with original tin will outlast a restoration that was thrown together with whatever was lying on the workshop floor.

Vintage Tractor Club of Ireland member

The consensus: price is the last conversation, not the first. Condition, provenance and legal standing decide what a tractor is actually worth.

DoneDeal gives Irish buyers the widest tractor market the country has ever had, but it leaves the verification work to them. The listings themselves say so: counts shift, placeholder prices appear, and asking prices range from €1 to €13,500 with no national average to lean on. For the Irish farmer or collector shopping on a budget, the decision is clear: shortlist from the data, verify every machine in person, and treat the RSA rulebook as part of the price — or let a €6,000 Massey Ferguson become a €9,000 lesson.

Related reading

  • Vintage tractor buying guide for DoneDeal Ireland
  • DoneDeal vintage machinery listings in Ireland

Related reading: Vintage tractor buying guide for DoneDeal Ireland · DoneDeal vintage machinery listings in Ireland

Additional sources

revenue.ie, revenue.ie, monaghan.ie, donedeal.ie

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Frequently asked questions

How do I contact a seller on DoneDeal for a tractor?

Open the ad and use the message button or the phone number listed by the seller. Keeping the conversation on the platform gives you a written record of the price, the condition claims and any agreements before you meet.

Is DoneDeal a safe platform for buying tractors?

DoneDeal is a classifieds marketplace, so safety depends on the transaction process, not the platform. Meet the seller in person, test the tractor before paying, and do not transfer money for a machine you have not seen running.

Can I negotiate the price of a tractor on DoneDeal?

Yes. DoneDeal prices are asking prices, not sale prices. Snapshots show large spreads for similar machines — a Massey Ferguson 135 at €12,500 in Wexford versus a tractor at €4,500 in Cork (DoneDeal) — so negotiate based on condition, service history and paperwork.

What should I check before viewing a used tractor?

Check the legal basics first: the tractor’s vintage status under the RSA’s 30-year rule, whether a roadworthiness test applies, the amber beacon requirement since , and rollover protection under S.I. No. 138 of 1969 (Road Safety Authority (Irish road safety regulator)). Then test the engine, hydraulics, brakes, steering and PTO in daylight.

What is the difference between a tractor and a tractor loader?

A tractor is an agricultural vehicle for pulling and powered work. A tractor loader — often a compact tractor with a front loader — adds a bucket and lifting arms for yard work. DoneDeal returns 1,723+ results for “tractor loader”, spread across the tractors and garden equipment categories (DoneDeal).

Are there warranty options for tractors purchased on DoneDeal?

Warranty is whatever the seller offers; DoneDeal is a classifieds site, not the seller. Ask for any warranty promise in writing before paying, and factor the risk of repairs into the price you offer.

How can I save a tractor search on DoneDeal for later viewing?

Bookmark the filtered search URL after you set your county and price range, then re-check it daily. New tractor ads are posted regularly, and the first viewer with a verified seller conversation usually wins the best machines.