The Ford Focus was the most scrapped car between January and October, new findings from Autocar unveil. 

Across all models, 798,363 vehicles were scrapped this year, which is around 60,000 less than by the same point a year ago. 

While the Focus was the most scrapped car during the period, the Vauxhall Astra and Vauxhall Corsa came in second and third place respectively. 

More than twice as many cars and vans were registered in the UK than scrapped during the period, Autocar said. 

Here are the top 10 most scrapped cars between January to October: 

1. Ford Focus

Crushed: The Ford Focus was the most scrapped car between January and October

Crushed: The Ford Focus was the most scrapped car between January and October 

According to Autocar’s Freedom of Information ask, the Ford Focus was the most scrapped car between January and October.  

There were 42,639 Ford Focus vehicles scrapped during the period.

Between 1999 and 2009, the Ford Focus held the top spot in UK annual new car sales charts. Ford is ceasing production of the Focus family hatchback in 2025.

2. Vauxhall Astra

Scrapped: The Vauxhall Astra was the second most scrapped car in the period

Scrapped: The Vauxhall Astra was the second most scrapped car in the period

The Vauxhall Astra was the second most scrapped car during the period, with 35,578 vehicles crushed. 

The Astra, a compact family car, has been sold by Vauxhall since 1980, with numerous popular new models released over the years. 

3. Vauxhall Corsa

Scrapped: The Vauxhall Corsa was the third most scrapped car this year

Scrapped: The Vauxhall Corsa was the third most scrapped car this year

The Vauxhall Corsa was the third most scrapped between January to October, according to Autocar. There were 34,405 Vauxhall Corsa motors scrapped during the period. 

In its newer form, Vauxhall’s Corsa hatchback is Britain’s best-selling supermini. 

4. Ford Fiesta

Classic: The Ford Fiesta was the fourth most scrapped car during the period

Classic: The Ford Fiesta was the fourth most scrapped car during the period

The classic Ford Fiesta was the fourth most scrapped motor in the period from January to October. 

There were 32,935 Fiestas scrapped during the period, according to Autocar’s analysis of Freedom of Information ask data. 

The last Ford Fiesta rolled off the production line on Friday 7 July, bringing to an end almost 50 years of history which made it the UK’s best-selling car. 

First manufactured in 1976, the Fiesta became an instant hit with those wanting smaller, more efficient cars.

5. Vauxhall Zafira

Gone: The Vauxhall Zafira was the fifth most scrapped car, according to Autocar

Gone: The Vauxhall Zafira was the fifth most scrapped car, according to Autocar

The Vauxhall Zafira was the fifth most scrapped car between January and October, with 16,898 units crushed during the period.

In 2015, over 220,000 Vauxhall Zafiras were recalled after some customers reported their cars spontaneously burst into flames. 

6. Volkswagen Golf

For scrap: There were 25,903 Vauxhall Golf motors scrapped between January and October

For scrap: There were 25,903 Vauxhall Golf motors scrapped between January and October

There were 25,903  VW Golf vehicles scrapped between January and October, Autocar said. 

The first series-production Golf rolled off the production line in Wolfsburg in March 1974 and was available at dealerships from May in the same year. 

7. Renault Clio

Oh Clio: The Renualt Clio was the seventh most scrapped car, Autocar said

Oh Clio: The Renualt Clio was the seventh most scrapped car, Autocar said 

The Renault Clio was the seventh most scrapped car during the period, with 15,955 units axed.

Earlier this year, Renault launched its first fully hybrid Clio E-Tech model. 

8. Ford Mondeo

Mondeo matters: The Ford Mondeo was the eighth most scrapped car

Mondeo matters: The Ford Mondeo was the eighth most scrapped car

There were 14,218 Ford Mondeo motors scrapped in the period from January to October, according to Autocar. 

In 2021, Ford announced that the Mondeo would be phased out the following year, after 29 years in production. 

Production of the Mondeo stopped at Ford’s Valencia plant in early 2022. The model was killed off amid a rise in popularity of sports utility vehicles and the push towards electrification.

9. Volkswagen Polo

Icon: The VW Polo was the ninth most scrapped vehicle during the period

Icon: The VW Polo was the ninth most scrapped vehicle during the period

Between January and October, 13,722 VW Polo vehicles were scrapped, according to Autocar. 

This autumn, it was reported by the Financial Times that VW was considering axing production of the Polo in Europe by the end of the decade, as it looks to boost its electric vehicle portfolio. 

10. BMW 3 Series 

Scrapped: The BMW 3 Series was the tenth most scrapped range, Autocar said

Scrapped: The BMW 3 Series was the tenth most scrapped range, Autocar said

The BMW 3 Series was the tenth most scrapped range of vehicles during the period, according to Autocar. 

In October, the current 3 series, launched in 2019, was branded the top pick for motorists looking for a second-hand car by What Car? 

Keeping your old motor for longer?

The data from Autocar, obtained via a Freedom of Information ask, suggests motorists are holding on to older cars for longer. 

This has occurred alongside the launch by Sadiq Khan of expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, which prompted some drivers in the capital to scrap their non-compliant cars in favour of more environmentally-friendly one, Autocar said.

Mark Tisshaw, editor of Autocar, said: ‘It is telling that nearly 60,000 fewer cars and vans were scrapped in 2023 than during the same period in 2022.

‘The rising cost of living is likely to be a factor, prompting motorists to hold on to their vehicles for longer – a situation not helped by uncertainty among consumers over making the switch to electric.’

In September, Rishi Sunak announced that it was delaying the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035. 

Sunak said was it was ‘not right to impose more costs on working people’, adding ‘sensible green leadership’ was needed. 

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