Data from the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency reveals that there are approximately 340,000 classic cars older than 40 still owned by registered keepers in the UK. However, not all of these vintage cars are still on the road.
Among these, around 12% have been declared off the road by their keepers. LeaseLoco, in response to a Freedom of Information request, has identified that 338,697 vintage cars are still privately owned in the UK according to DVLA records updated as of December 15, 2023.
Of these classic cars, 12% are not currently being driven on the road by their owners. Around 41,217 vintage cars have had their Statutory Off Road Notifications (SORNs) declared, indicating that they are off the road as of the date of the FOI filing.
Many of these off-road vintage cars are likely undergoing restoration, considered projects, or are valuable vehicles that owners are keeping off the road to preserve and potentially increase their future value.
Classifying a car as ‘classic’ typically refers to vehicles older than 40 years eligible for historic vehicle perks, such as exemption from annual MOTs and Vehicle and Excise Duty. However, road tax exemption only applies from April 1st for cars registered 40 years prior to January 1st.
In addition, classic cars over 40 are also exempt from emission zone charges like ULEZ in London, the Clean Air Zone in Birmingham, and the Scottish Low Emission Zone (active in Glasgow and soon to be in Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh).
The DVLA reports that classic cars still in operation include 28,311 MGBs, 10,393 Morris Minors, 5,575 Rolls Royces, and 4,508 Triumph Stags.
John Wilmot, CEO of LeaseLoco, expressed admiration for the enduring craftsmanship and history represented by the nearly 300,000 classic vehicles still on the road. He emphasized how these cars evoke nostalgia and admiration, enriching the motoring landscape and preserving automotive legacy for future generations.