JEREMY CLARKSON BIDS FINAL GOODBYE to fan-favourite tractor as clarkson’s farm season 5 unfolds
Jeremy Clarkson has marked an emotional and symbolic moment in Clarkson’s Farm Season 5 after bidding farewell to one of his most recognisable pieces of machinery — a heavily modified 2016 Deutz-Fahr tractor that had become a fan favourite across the series.
The moment, featured in episode six of the Prime Video show released on June 10, shows Clarkson making the decision to send the iconic machine to auction after it had reportedly not been used in weeks at Diddly Squat Farm. What followed was a real-world sale process that blended television storytelling with a genuine agricultural machinery auction, drawing attention from fans and industry professionals alike.
A TRACTOR THAT BECAME A SYMBOL OF THE SHOW
The green Deutz-Fahr tractor was far from ordinary. Modified personally by Clarkson, it featured a bespoke cab lift and Lamborghini branding, making it one of the most visually distinctive machines ever seen on the farm.
It had also appeared frequently throughout Season 4, becoming something of a signature piece of equipment for viewers following Clarkson’s farming journey. Its presence on the farm symbolised both ambition and experimentation — two recurring themes of the series.
However, as Clarkson himself explained in the episode, the tractor had “not turned a wheel in weeks,” prompting the decision to send it to auction.
THE AUCTION PROCESS BEGINS
To handle the sale, agricultural auctioneers Cheffins were brought in as part of the show’s storyline. The firm, featured in Season 5, was tasked with valuing and selling the tractor directly from Diddly Squat Farm.
In March 2025, producers approached Cheffins to manage the consignment. By April, Oliver Godfrey, Head of Machinery Sales at Cheffins, visited the farm to assess the machine and provide an official valuation.
After inspection, Godfrey estimated the tractor’s value at between £50,000 and £60,000 — a figure that immediately surprised Clarkson.
Clarkson responded on camera: “It’s quite a lot less than I paid for it… I paid £80,000.”
The moment highlighted a recurring reality of farming economics featured throughout the show — machinery often depreciates significantly, even when customised or heavily used.
STRONG DEMAND AT AUCTION
Despite its unconventional modifications and relatively high hours — recorded at 3,180 — the tractor attracted strong attention when it went under the hammer at Cheffins’ Monthly Machinery Sale in Sutton, near Ely, on June 9, 2025.
The auction drew a mix of serious agricultural buyers and Clarkson’s Farm fans, all eager to see how the famous machine would perform on the open market.
As bidding began, Clarkson himself observed the energy in the room, noting that the sale included everything from high-end tractors to unusually characterful machines. At one point he joked that the auction featured “everything from high-end tracked tractors to characters from Pixar,” reflecting the eclectic nature of the event.
A BIDDING BATTLE AND SURPRISING RESULT
As competition increased, Clarkson watched closely alongside farming contractor and co-star Kaleb Cooper. The bidding quickly gained momentum, with interest pushing the price closer to Clarkson’s original purchase value.
“I think we are actually getting closer to the £80,000 that I had paid for it,” Clarkson commented as the auction heated up.
After a total of 62 bids, the hammer finally fell at £70,500, with the tractor sold to a UK-based regular buyer. While slightly below Clarkson’s original purchase price, the result exceeded expectations given earlier valuations.
Clarkson later summed up the outcome with his characteristic humour, saying:
“Well, it was a financial hit, but it wasn’t a financial kick in the nuts.”
Despite the loss, both Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper appeared satisfied with the result, treating the moment as part of the wider realities of farm life rather than a setback.
INDUSTRY REACTION AND SHOW IMPACT
Auctioneer Oliver Godfrey praised both the event and the broader impact of the show on public awareness of farming. He noted that Clarkson’s Farm has played a major role in highlighting the financial and operational challenges faced by modern farmers.
“Clarkson’s Farm has done a huge amount to raise awareness of the realities of farming life in the UK,” he said, adding that the programme has helped bring agricultural pressures to a wider global audience.
Godfrey also commented on the uniqueness of the machine itself, particularly Clarkson’s modifications, which he described as unlike anything he had previously seen in the field.
A MEMORABLE MOMENT IN SEASON 5
Filming took place throughout the auction day, capturing not only the sale itself but also the atmosphere surrounding the 40-acre auction site. Clarkson and Cooper toured the grounds, observing machinery and engaging with the process from start to finish.
For fans, the episode represents more than just a sale — it marks the end of a familiar chapter in the evolving story of Diddly Squat Farm. The tractor, once a symbol of Clarkson’s experimental farming approach, now moves into a new ownership era.
END OF A CHAPTER, NOT THE STORY
While the Deutz-Fahr tractor has now officially left the farm, its journey reflects the broader themes of Clarkson’s Farm: trial and error, financial risk, and the unpredictable nature of agriculture.
As Season 5 continues to unfold, viewers are left with a mix of nostalgia and curiosity — wondering what other unexpected changes may be coming next to Diddly Squat Farm, and whether more iconic machines or moments will soon follow the same path to auction.
