Car statistics
Ford Sierra statistics
How many Ford Sierras 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 and 2,592 DVSA MOT tests.
- Licensed in Great Britain 1,719 +6.7% on a year earlier
- Declared SORN 10,521 Off the road, not taxed
- MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 88.3% Cars of the same ages 61.0%
- Rank by number licensed No. 582 of 1,159 models we cover
- Licensed in 1994 1,060,846 when this data begins
- Average annual mileage 782 miles a year
How many Ford Sierras are left in Great Britain?
There were 1,719 Ford Sierras licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 10,521 declared off the road (SORN). That is 99.8% fewer than the 1,060,846 licensed in 1994, when this data begins.
Ford Sierras licensed in Great Britain
The count was highest in 1994, when this data begins.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1,060,846 |
| 1995 | 982,312 |
| 1996 | 916,152 |
| 1997 | 821,265 |
| 1998 | 702,893 |
| 1999 | 590,877 |
| 2000 | 470,304 |
| 2001 | 360,895 |
| 2002 | 260,015 |
| 2003 | 175,144 |
| 2004 | 112,918 |
| 2005 | 69,253 |
| 2006 | 40,785 |
| 2007 | 25,934 |
| 2008 | 16,866 |
| 2009 | 11,626 |
| 2010 | 8,500 |
| 2011 | 6,539 |
| 2012 | 5,304 |
| 2013 | 4,119 |
| 2014 | 3,601 |
| 2015 | 3,219 |
| 2016 | 2,917 |
| 2017 | 2,586 |
| 2018 | 2,260 |
| 2019 | 2,089 |
| 2020 | 1,898 |
| 2021 | 1,766 |
| 2022 | 1,715 |
| 2023 | 1,588 |
| 2024 | 1,608 |
| 2025 | 1,670 |
| 2026 | 1,719 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Fuel type
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Ford Sierra versions
9 versions of the Ford Sierra have their own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Sierra RS Cosworth | 437 | 2,308 |
| Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth | 237 | 1,172 |
| Ford Sierra XR4x4 | 130 | 1,176 |
| Ford Sierra XR4i | 257 | 624 |
| Ford Sierra Ghia 4x4 | 13 | 198 |
| Ford Sierra Sapphire Azura | 19 | 125 |
| Ford Sierra Sapphire 2000E | 9 | 105 |
| Ford Sierra GLS 4x4 | 9 | 92 |
| Ford Sierra GT | 7 | 93 |
Ford Sierra MOT reliability
In 2025, 88.3% of Ford Sierra MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Ford Sierras tested pass 61.0% of the time, so the Ford Sierra does better than average for its age, by 27.3 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 86.8%.
MOT first-time pass rate by age: Ford Sierra vs all cars
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Ford Sierra | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 20+ years | 88.3% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Ford Sierra MOT failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Ford Sierra fails its MOT, appearing on 40.9% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 1.7% of Ford Sierra tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
Most common MOT failure categories
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 40.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 27.7% |
| Suspension | 26.4% |
| Brakes | 23.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 20.1% |
| Visibility | 17.2% |
| Steering | 10.6% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common Ford Sierra MOT defects and advisories
The single most common reason a Ford Sierra failed its MOT in 2025 was “Non catalyst emissions carbon monoxide content excessive”, on 11.9% of 303 failed tests. 23.1% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Engine oil leak, but not excessive”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Most common reasons for failure
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Non catalyst emissions carbon monoxide content excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.9% |
| Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 11.2% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 6.9% |
| Horn: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.3% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.3% |
| Seat belts: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.6% |
| Rear fog lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.3% |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding Brakes | 5.3% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 5.3% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 5.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common advisories
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.1% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 3.4% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 2.8% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 2.3% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 2.2% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 1.9% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 1.9% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 1.6% |
| Component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Suspension | 1.5% |
| Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Body, chassis, structure | 1.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Ford Sierra annual mileage
The average Ford Sierra covers 782 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
Average annual mileage by age
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 20+ years | 782 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Ford Sierra registrations over time
Registrations of Ford Sierras for the first time in Great Britain were highest at 122 in 2001, when this data begins. In 2025, 17 were registered.
Registered for the first time, by year
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 122 |
| ’02 | 82 |
| ’03 | 62 |
| ’04 | 66 |
| ’05 | 41 |
| ’06 | 39 |
| ’07 | 30 |
| ’08 | 18 |
| ’09 | 18 |
| ’10 | 8 |
| ’11 | 2 |
| ’12 | 3 |
| ’13 | 0 |
| ’14 | 2 |
| ’15 | 6 |
| ’16 | 10 |
| ’17 | 11 |
| ’18 | 13 |
| ’19 | 12 |
| ’20 | 13 |
| ’21 | 12 |
| ’22 | 12 |
| ’23 | 11 |
| ’24 | 11 |
| ’25 | 17 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Ford Sierra engine sizes and fuel types
Of the 1,792 Ford Sierras licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 52.6% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 17.0% have an engine of 2,701cc to 2,800cc. The share with an engine of 1,701cc to 1,800cc has fallen from 23.1% in 2014 to 11.3%.
Engine sizes, end of 2025
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 942 licensed | 52.6% |
| 2,701cc to 2,800cc 304 licensed | 17.0% |
| 1,701cc to 1,800cc 203 licensed | 11.3% |
| 1,501cc to 1,600cc 146 licensed | 8.1% |
| 2,901cc to 3,000cc 105 licensed | 5.9% |
| Other sizes 92 licensed | 5.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 941 | 52.5% |
| 2,701–2,800cc | Petrol | 304 | 17.0% |
| 1,701–1,800cc | Petrol | 190 | 10.6% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Petrol | 146 | 8.1% |
| 2,901–3,000cc | Petrol | 105 | 5.9% |
| 2,001–2,100cc | Petrol | 21 | 1.2% |
| 2,201–2,300cc | Petrol | 19 | 1.1% |
Engine sizes, 2014 to 2025
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,901–2,000cc | 2,701–2,800cc | 1,701–1,800cc | 1,501–1,600cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 50.7% | 6.2% | 23.1% | 10.8% |
| 2015 | 52.8% | 6.4% | 20.9% | 10.4% |
| 2016 | 53.4% | 7.2% | 20.2% | 9.7% |
| 2017 | 54.3% | 6.9% | 19.2% | 9.7% |
| 2018 | 53.6% | 7.3% | 18.8% | 9.8% |
| 2019 | 55.5% | 8.3% | 17.5% | 8.6% |
| 2020 | 55.4% | 8.1% | 17.2% | 8.7% |
| 2021 | 56.9% | 7.8% | 16.1% | 8.2% |
| 2022 | 58.9% | 8.5% | 15.2% | 7.5% |
| 2023 | 58.9% | 8.4% | 14.6% | 7.7% |
| 2024 | 55.1% | 13.1% | 12.8% | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 52.6% | 17.0% | 11.3% | 8.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Fuel type, 2014 to 2025
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 96.8% | 3.1% |
| 2015 | 97.2% | 2.8% |
| 2016 | 97.3% | 2.7% |
| 2017 | 97.4% | 2.4% |
| 2018 | 97.4% | 2.4% |
| 2019 | 97.9% | 2.1% |
| 2020 | 97.3% | 2.6% |
| 2021 | 97.3% | 2.6% |
| 2022 | 97.9% | 2.1% |
| 2023 | 98.1% | 1.8% |
| 2024 | 98.3% | 1.6% |
| 2025 | 98.1% | 1.9% |
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.
Ford Sierra safety recalls
We found no recalls for the Ford Sierra in DVSA’s records since 1992. That does not mean none apply: DVSA sometimes records a recall under a range or chassis name we cannot match to a model. Check a specific car on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check.
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Ford Sierra. 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.
Compare the Ford Sierra with other Ford models
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Sierra | 1,719 | +6.7% | 10,521 | 582 | 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 |
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 12,240 Sierra records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 2,592 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
- Figures cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland is not included.
- Licensed counts are vehicles with a current tax or exemption at the end of each year (or the latest quarter). SORN counts are shown separately.
- First registrations count vehicles registered in Great Britain for the first time, including used imports.
- Models are grouped by DVLA’s generic model name, so every generation and trim counts together.
- MOT figures cover normal tests of cars aged three and over in 2025; retests are excluded. Age is rounded to the nearest year.
- DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.