Major car brands and models could disappear from UK roads within weeks as older vehicles go extinct
Some of the most popular cars could disappear from roads
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A number of popular vehicles that are often the common pick for a first car could soon disappear from roads, according to new data.
The majority of Britons will always have a fondness for their first vehicle, which is usually an older, used car that has relatively low running costs and can get them from A to B.
However, new research has found that a number of the most popular "first vehicles" could be at risk of extinction in the near future as they get scrapped in favour of newer vehicles.
The Vauxhall Nova could be the first vehicle to disappear from UK roads with just 841 road-worthy models left in the country.
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Vauxhall Nova
RAC
An average of 4,806 models have been scrapped every quarter over the past five years, with research from Dick Lovett suggesting that they may have "just two weeks left if things keep going the same way".
The Nova was the eighth most popular first car in the 1980s and 1990s, with an estimated 500,000 sold in its first 10 years of manufacturing and was one of the most popular supermini options at the time.
The same survey found that more than a third of drivers (34 per cent) of British drivers admitted that they missed their old bangers they drove in when they first passed their test.
These cars remain a part of these drivers with almost three in five motorists saying they felt nostalgic about their vehicles, while 41 per cent say they still feel attached to their first car.
The Peugeot 205 celebrated its 40th anniversary last year
STELLANTIS
The Peugeot 205 is another popular supermini, having won several prestigious awards in the 1980s. Data shows that there are just over 3,000 of them left on UK roads and since so many models are being scrapped, they could disappear within four weeks.
Two more Peugeot models are on the top 10 list which could see them disappear in as few as four months as thousands look to ditch their older petrol and diesel vehicles.
Other major car brands including Fiat, Volkswagen and Ford are also included in the list, owing to their dominance in the 70s, 80s, 90s and early 2000s.
The Dick Lovett data stated: "The Fiesta’s recent end in production, calculations predict the iconic Ford vehicle is also at risk of complete eradication in the next four years and two months if it keeps getting scrapped at the same rate."
The Volkswagen Beetle could disappear from roads in the future
PA
Car models that are most at risk of going extinct by number of vehicles left on UK roads
1. Vauxhall Nova - 841 (two weeks)
2. Peugeot 205 - 3,288 (four weeks)
3. Citroen Saxo - 3,652 (four weeks)
4. Peugeot 106 - 5,097 (one month)
5. Peugeot 206 - 48,175 (four months)
6. Fiat Punto - 69,393 (eight months)
7. Volkswagen Beetle - 44,193 (nine months)
8. Ford KA - 177,250 (one year and seven months)
9. Ford Fiesta - 1.4 million (four years and two months)
10. Mini Clubman - 25,840 (eight years and three months)
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The Mini Clubman
PA
The research also suggests that the Mini Clubman has also peaked in popularity with the number of models being scrapped outpacing the amount on the roads.
While the Clubman remains iconic with signature split rear doors and slick interior decor, Mini discontinued production at the start of 2024 after a brief comeback in 2007.