Vanishing From Our Roads
The Daewoo Matiz, once a familiar sight in Britain’s city streets, could vanish from UK roads completely within the next four years, a new report warns.
It’s not alone. Other 1990s mainstays such as the Citroen Saxo and the Peugeot 306 – the latter formerly assembled in the UK – may be gone as soon as 2031.
The study, carried out by ALA Insurance, examined official registration data covering more than 24,000 declining car models. By estimating each vehicle’s typical lifespan, researchers were able to predict when these models are likely to disappear altogether if current trends continue.
At the top of the endangered list is the Daewoo Matiz, expected to vanish by 2029. Following close behind are the Fiat Stilo and Rover 25, which could be gone by 2030. By the year after, the MG ZR, Citroen Saxo, and Peugeot 306 may all be history.
ALA’s analysis even looked at specific trims that are on borrowed time – a detail likely to interest Festival of the Unexceptional enthusiasts. Among the models facing extinction by 2029 are the Ford Ka 2 and Fiat Punto ELX, with 14 other trim levels also likely to fade away in the coming years.
Everyday cars like the Ford Ka and more niche vehicles such as the Crhysler Crossfire will soon be vanashing from our roads.
"The decline of these models is largely down to age and deterioration," says ALA Insurance’s Aimee Anderson. "As MoT failures continue to rise, most owner draw the line once repair costs outweigh the car’s value."
YouTuber Jim Starling noted how quickly some once-common cars are disappearing. "Everyday models like the Ford Ka 2 are hardly seen anymore."
The cost of taxing higher-emission cars is another factor.
"As much as I’m a fan of electric vehicles, it’s a real shame that changing tax rules are pushing some very cool and quirky cars off our roads sooner than they should.
"Models like the Chrysler Crossfire - which can cost up to £760 a year to tax - will likely end up only in the hands of the most dedicated enthusiasts simply because they will cost more to tax than buy at some point."
ALA Insurance also analysed the UK’s most popular models between 2014 and 2025 to identify those offering the best balance between lifespan and replacement cost.
The Ford Fiesta leads with an expected lifespan of 146,000 miles, followed closely by the Vauxhall Corsa at 142,000 miles. Both sit at the top of ALA’s ‘miles per pound’ list, which measures predicted mileage against average 2025 prices.
In terms of sheer distance, the Vauxhall Astra is forecast to last longest at 174,000 miles, narrowly beating the Ford Focus on 173,000 miles. The Volkswagen Polo rounds out the top five with a projected lifespan of 155,000 miles.
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