Car statistics
How many Ford Explorers 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 21,680 Ford Explorers licensed in Great Britain at the end of June 2026, and a further 766 declared off the road (SORN). That is the most on the road at any year end since 1996.
Numbers are still rising: the latest count is the highest in this series.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 32 |
| 1997 | 2,067 |
| 1998 | 3,829 |
| 1999 | 5,194 |
| 2000 | 5,968 |
| 2001 | 6,221 |
| 2002 | 6,216 |
| 2003 | 6,101 |
| 2004 | 5,954 |
| 2005 | 5,833 |
| 2006 | 5,515 |
| 2007 | 5,106 |
| 2008 | 4,633 |
| 2009 | 4,126 |
| 2010 | 3,636 |
| 2011 | 3,026 |
| 2012 | 2,467 |
| 2013 | 2,017 |
| 2014 | 1,664 |
| 2015 | 1,416 |
| 2016 | 1,179 |
| 2017 | 929 |
| 2018 | 742 |
| 2019 | 567 |
| 2020 | 473 |
| 2021 | 379 |
| 2022 | 309 |
| 2023 | 257 |
| 2024 | 4,824 |
| 2025 | 16,448 |
| 2026 | 21,680 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated
There were not enough MOT tests of Ford Explorers 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 Explorers for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 11,957 in 2025. In 2025, 11,957 were registered.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 98 |
| ’02 | 15 |
| ’03 | 9 |
| ’04 | 6 |
| ’05 | 6 |
| ’06 | 3 |
| ’07 | 4 |
| ’08 | 6 |
| ’09 | 1 |
| ’10 | 1 |
| ’11 | 0 |
| ’12 | 0 |
| ’13 | 1 |
| ’14 | 0 |
| ’15 | 5 |
| ’16 | 2 |
| ’17 | 3 |
| ’18 | 1 |
| ’19 | 2 |
| ’20 | 0 |
| ’21 | 2 |
| ’22 | 0 |
| ’23 | 1 |
| ’24 | 4,634 |
| ’25 | 11,957 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 185 Ford Explorers licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 88.1% have an engine of 4,001cc to 4,100cc. The share with an engine of 4,001cc to 4,100cc has fallen from 99.9% in 2014 to 88.1%. Electric made up 0.0% of those licensed in 2014 and 10.3% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 4,001cc to 4,100cc 163 licensed | 88.1% |
| No engine (electric) 19 licensed | 10.3% |
| Other sizes 3 licensed | 1.6% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4,001–4,100cc | Petrol | 156 | 84.3% |
| Electric | Electric | 19 | 10.3% |
| 4,001–4,100cc | Other | 7 | 3.8% |
| 4,601–4,700cc | Petrol | 2 | 1.1% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Electric | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 91.8% | 0.0% | 8.0% |
| 2015 | 92.1% | 0.0% | 7.7% |
| 2016 | 92.4% | 0.0% | 7.4% |
| 2017 | 93.1% | 0.0% | 6.8% |
| 2018 | 93.7% | 0.0% | 6.2% |
| 2019 | 94.4% | 0.0% | 5.3% |
| 2020 | 93.9% | 0.0% | 5.9% |
| 2021 | 94.5% | 0.0% | 5.3% |
| 2022 | 94.2% | 0.0% | 5.5% |
| 2023 | 95.3% | 0.0% | 4.7% |
| 2024 | 94.3% | 0.0% | 5.7% |
| 2025 | 85.9% | 10.3% | 3.8% |
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 Explorer from 2000, when the data begins, to 2001. On the NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2001), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 20.6 mpg, with CO2 of 350 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 petrol | 20.6 | 350 | 2000–2001 | Euro 2 | 1 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 15 safety recalls for the Ford Explorer since 1992, the first in 1998. The most recent was launched on 21 August 2026.
All 15 Ford Explorer recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Ford Explorer. 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 Explorer | 21,680 | +110.8% | 766 | 234 | Electric |
| Ford Fiesta | 1,234,335 | −5.3% | 110,507 | 1 | Petrol |
| Ford Focus | 842,798 | −6.8% | 99,494 | 4 | Petrol |
| Ford Kuga | 368,344 | +3.2% | 9,807 | 17 | Diesel |
| Ford Puma | 257,717 | +27.6% | 6,364 | 26 | Hybrid |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of June 2026 | 22,446 Explorer records (licensed and SORN) | 2 October 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 2 October 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
