Nearly 60 car models, including popular brands like Ford, Kia, and Vauxhall, are predicted to disappear from UK roads by 2029, according to a new forecast by car insurance specialists Tempcover. The analysis, based on 10 years of official vehicle registration data, tracks the declining popularity of specific models to estimate an 'extinction date' when new registrations hit zero.
Among the vehicles expected to vanish soonest are the Citroën Saxo, Nissan Primera, and Vauxhall Vectra, which could be gone as early as next year. Other models on the list include the Nissan Almera and Peugeot 307. The predictions are based on current rates of decline, but Tempcover emphasises they are not guarantees and serve as a guide to changing consumer tastes.
Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “For many drivers, iconic models like the Citroën Saxo, Vauxhall Vectra, or Peugeot 307 are more than just vehicles, they’re part of our memories. To think these models are gradually disappearing from our roads is a reminder of evolving times.” She noted that older cars require more care, with harder-to-source parts and greater attention needed during MOT inspections.
The decline is attributed to rising maintenance costs and a shift towards electric vehicles, as the UK government plans to phase out new internal combustion engine cars by 2030 and achieve fully zero-emission new cars and vans by 2035. The forecast serves as a reminder of changing automotive trends, though manufacturers themselves have not confirmed these predictions.
