Every year, hundreds of thousands of vehicles reach the end of their road on British streets. But which cars are most likely to end up at the scrapyard? We've crunched the numbers from 2025 to reveal which models are being retired in the highest numbers - and some of the results might surprise you.

The Top 10 Most Scrapped Cars of 2025

Topping the charts is the Ford Fiesta, which shouldn't shock anyone familiar with UK roads. As Britain's best-selling car for over a decade, sheer numbers mean plenty are now reaching end of life. The Mk6 and Mk7 Fiestas from 2008-2017 are hitting that sweet spot where repair costs start exceeding values.

The Vauxhall Corsa takes second place, another perennial favourite now ageing out of the fleet. Corsas from the early 2010s are particularly prevalent, with the D-generation models proving popular for scrappage as rust and mechanical issues accumulate.

Third place goes to the Volkswagen Golf - slightly surprising given VW's reputation for longevity, but the sheer volume of Golfs sold means significant numbers are always reaching retirement age. The Mk5 and Mk6 generations from 2004-2012 are most commonly seen.

Rounding out the top five are the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, both fleet favourites that sold in massive numbers during the 2000s and 2010s. These workhorses served families and businesses reliably but are now reaching the point where continued maintenance doesn't make economic sense.

The Van Situation

It's not just cars filling up ATFs. Commercial vehicles have their own scrappage patterns, with the Ford Transit dominating predictably. The sheer number of Transits working Britain's roads means they're constantly cycling through from hard-working youth to retirement.

The Vauxhall Vivaro and Renault Trafic (essentially the same van with different badges) appear in significant numbers, as do Mercedes Sprinters. These vehicles often live harder lives than private cars, accumulating massive mileages and suffering the wear and tear of commercial use.

Interestingly, smaller vans like the Ford Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy are increasingly common at scrapyards. The delivery boom of recent years put unprecedented strain on these vehicles, and many are now wearing out after intensive use.

Why These Cars?

The pattern is clear: volume matters. Cars that sold in huge numbers inevitably produce high scrappage numbers a decade or so later. It's not necessarily a reflection of quality - the Ford Fiesta isn't being scrapped because it's unreliable, but because millions were sold.

Age also plays a crucial role. Vehicles from 2008-2015 are currently in the prime scrappage zone - old enough that significant repairs become uneconomical, but from an era when cars were still being produced in high volumes before recent supply disruptions.

The MOT factor shouldn't be underestimated either. Many cars are scrapped immediately after failing an MOT with an expensive repair list. When the quote to fix rust, suspension, or emissions systems exceeds the car's value, the decision becomes straightforward.

The Survivors

Notably absent from high scrappage rates are Japanese manufacturers. Despite selling in decent numbers, Toyota and Honda vehicles appear proportionally less often at ATFs. Their reputation for reliability translates into longer average lifespans and lower scrappage rates relative to sales volumes.

Premium German brands also show lower proportional scrappage, though this likely reflects higher resale values making repair more economically viable rather than superior durability. A BMW or Audi is worth fixing at higher mileages simply because the repaired vehicle retains meaningful value.

What About Your Car?

If your vehicle appears on this list, don't panic - it doesn't mean your car is about to fall apart. These statistics reflect volume and age more than quality. A well-maintained Fiesta or Corsa can provide many more years of reliable service.

However, if your car is approaching that 12-15 year mark and starting to need significant repairs, it might be worth considering your options. Sometimes the kindest thing for both your wallet and an ageing vehicle is a dignified retirement rather than endless expensive repairs.