Popular car models could disappear from UK roads forever and become EXTINCT

MANY popular car models could soon disappear from UK roads forever and become extinct.

Experts have warned that these vehicles could face a swift decline “as the automotive industry shifts towards electric vehicles.”

A new study by car parts marketplace Ovoko looked at the most popular petrol and diesel car models from YouGov and calculated the rate of decline in the number of registrations in the UK.

This was then modelled to see which popular vehicles are in decline or rising, and how long it will take each to get to nearly zero registrations or reach “extinction.”

The data showed that the Hyundai Coupé will be the first to disappear from roads, with registrations expected to drop to zero on August 28, 2026.

Just a handful of the models can be found on online car marketplaces, many of which cost less than £4,000.

The South Korean brand ended production of the Coupé, also known as the Tiburon outside of Europe, in 2008, with modest sales throughout its 12 years of production.

Second in line to disappear is the Renault Megane, with data suggesting that the model will be made extinct on July 7, 2029.

It was just two years ago that the French brand launched the Megane E-Tech to take over the fossil fuel powered vehicle’s mantle.

It comes equipped with a total range of 285 miles, goes 0-62mph in just 7.5 seconds and can charge up to 186 miles of battery in 30 minutes of charging.

Vytas Palovis, Vice President of Growth at Ovoko, said: “Petrol and diesel car models are facing a swift decline as the automotive industry shifts towards electric vehicles.

“With increasing regulatory pressures, stricter emissions standards, and growing consumer demand for eco-friendly options, many traditional fuel-powered cars are likely to see a critical drop in registrations in the coming years and some models may become extinct altogether.”

Surprisingly, the wildly popular Ford Mondeo was ranked as the third most likely model to go extinct, with the rate of decline indicating that it will die on May 24, 2033.

The Ford Mondeo sold over four million models in its 24-year production run, with almost 750,000 of these sales coming from China.

Other popular brands are seen in the top 10 list of car models likely to be extinct soon, including Toyota, Audi, Kia, Mazda and Jeep.

Vytas continued: “Many of these models have become icons, representing decades of automotive design, engineering milestones, and a sense of nostalgia that can’t be replaced by modern alternatives.

“It is bittersweet to witness the gradual extinction of cars that have left such a lasting imprint on driving culture.”

At present, new petrol and diesel vehicle production is to cease by 2035.

However, the new Government has pledged to reinstate the previous cut off date of 2030.

In light of the proposed changes, carmakers said they were having to “ration” their models to comply with strict Net Zero regulations, the head of a major UK dealership claimed.

Manufacturers are facing fines worth millions in the coming months amid struggling EV sales across the market.

The core of the issue, according to some industry figures, is the Government’s ZEV Mandate.

These strict laws require brands to ensure that a certain percentage of their sales each years is made up of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) – usually electric cars.