Britain’s most scrapped cars revealed as iconic favourite tops list

Brits have been warned about making modifications to their cars
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Some of the most popular cars in the UK feature on a list of those which are most scrapped. The list, which includes ten car models across seven different brands, has had the same at the top for the past seven years.

Despite its popularity as a versatile family vehicle, the Ford Focus makes up a staggering 6.3% of all vehicles scrapped in the UK, according to Scrap Car Comparison. The compact car, available in coupe, hatchback, saloon and estate versions, has been in production since the late 90s.

However, despite its long-standing history, the vehicle has once again earned the unfortunate title of Britain's most disposable car. Coming in second is the Vauxhall Astra, available in petrol, plug-in hybrid or pure electric - and as a hatch or an estate.

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This is despite the car being lauded for its sleek design, easy handling and comfortable ride. And this isn't the only time the cherished British manufacturer features on the list - with the Vauxhall Corsa ranking third and the Vauxhall Zafira seventh.

In fourth place is the iconic Ford Fiesta - which ceased production in 2023. Known for its affordable price tag, used versions of the car can still be bought for less than £5,000 - which may explain their frequent appearance in scrapyards.

Following this is the Renault Clio, often viewed as a more refined version of the Fiesta. After the Vauxhall Zafira comes the Mini Cooper - which ironically was named Car of the Year 2024.

The Peugeot 207, a now discontinued supermini car, and the Volkswagen Polo have made it to the list, marking a second appearance for the German automotive giant. This follows the revelation of the top five cars most likely to depreciate in value.

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According to data analysed by WhatCar?, the Nissan Leaf tops the list, with its starting price of £31,070 plummeting to just £6,450 after three years. The Vauxhall Corsa Electric is next, starting at £29,045 but depreciating to £7,300.

The Mazda MX-30 and Citroën e-C4 are third and fourth, while the Vauxhall Mokka Electric rounds out the top five, dealing another blow to the brand. The Mokka (50kWh GS) costs £37,310, but after three years, it's worth only £11,400, representing a loss of £25,910 and retaining just 30.6 per cent of its original value.