Car statistics
How many Ford Cougars are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records.
There were 269 Ford Cougars licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 1,149 declared off the road (SORN). That is 97.9% fewer than the peak of 13,025 in 2002.
Numbers peaked in 2002 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 1,295 |
| 1999 | 6,802 |
| 2000 | 11,263 |
| 2001 | 12,997 |
| 2002 | 13,025 |
| 2003 | 12,887 |
| 2004 | 12,869 |
| 2005 | 12,732 |
| 2006 | 12,557 |
| 2007 | 12,134 |
| 2008 | 11,572 |
| 2009 | 10,798 |
| 2010 | 9,785 |
| 2011 | 8,132 |
| 2012 | 6,533 |
| 2013 | 4,972 |
| 2014 | 3,734 |
| 2015 | 2,847 |
| 2016 | 2,088 |
| 2017 | 1,487 |
| 2018 | 1,165 |
| 2019 | 905 |
| 2020 | 741 |
| 2021 | 595 |
| 2022 | 514 |
| 2023 | 401 |
| 2024 | 323 |
| 2025 | 283 |
| 2026 | 269 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
There were not enough MOT tests of Ford Cougars in 2025 to publish reliable figures: we need at least 1,000 tests of cars aged three and over. Cars have their first MOT at three years old, so newer models appear once they reach that age. How we work out MOT figures.
Registrations of Ford Cougars for the first time in Great Britain were highest at 1,481 in 2001, when this data begins. In 2025, 0 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 1,481 |
| ’02 | 45 |
| ’03 | 17 |
| ’04 | 12 |
| ’05 | 5 |
| ’06 | 1 |
| ’07 | 3 |
| ’08 | 6 |
| ’09 | 0 |
| ’10 | 2 |
| ’11 | 1 |
| ’12 | 1 |
| ’13 | 0 |
| ’14 | 0 |
| ’15 | 1 |
| ’16 | 0 |
| ’17 | 0 |
| ’18 | 1 |
| ’19 | 0 |
| ’20 | 0 |
| ’21 | 1 |
| ’22 | 0 |
| ’23 | 0 |
| ’24 | 0 |
| ’25 | 0 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 286 Ford Cougars licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 64.0% have an engine of 2,501cc to 2,600cc, and 25.2% have an engine of 2,401cc to 2,500cc. The share with an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc has fallen from 21.3% in 2014 to 10.5%.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 2,501cc to 2,600cc 183 licensed | 64.0% |
| 2,401cc to 2,500cc 72 licensed | 25.2% |
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 30 licensed | 10.5% |
| Other sizes 1 licensed | 0.3% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,501–2,600cc | Petrol | 183 | 64.0% |
| 2,401–2,500cc | Petrol | 72 | 25.2% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 30 | 10.5% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 2,501–2,600cc | 2,401–2,500cc | 1,901–2,000cc |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 61.9% | 16.6% | 21.3% |
| 2015 | 62.9% | 18.8% | 18.3% |
| 2016 | 64.4% | 19.5% | 16.0% |
| 2017 | 64.7% | 20.3% | 14.7% |
| 2018 | 64.4% | 21.7% | 13.6% |
| 2019 | 63.2% | 22.5% | 14.0% |
| 2020 | 63.9% | 21.6% | 14.4% |
| 2021 | 65.3% | 21.9% | 12.6% |
| 2022 | 62.9% | 24.7% | 12.2% |
| 2023 | 63.2% | 23.1% | 13.4% |
| 2024 | 61.8% | 25.8% | 12.0% |
| 2025 | 64.0% | 25.2% | 10.5% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Ford Cougar from 2000, when the data begins, to 2003. On the NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2003), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 24.0 to 33.2 mpg, with CO2 of 202 to 257 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 32.8–33.2 | 202–206 | 2000–2003 | Euro 2 to Euro 3 | 3 |
| 2.5 petrol | 24.0–29.7 | 228–257 | 2000–2003 | Euro 2 to Euro 3 | 3 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 5 safety recalls for the Ford Cougar since 1992, the first in 1999. The most recent was launched on 15 October 2001.
All 5 Ford Cougar recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Ford Cougar. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Cougar | 269 | −16.5% | 1,149 | 951 | Petrol |
| Ford Fiesta | 1,249,904 | −5.2% | 111,058 | 1 | Petrol |
| Ford Focus | 857,445 | −6.6% | 100,497 | 4 | Petrol |
| Ford Kuga | 367,678 | +3.9% | 7,528 | 17 | Diesel |
| Ford Puma | 244,729 | +27.6% | 6,445 | 30 | Hybrid |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 1,418 Cougar records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
