Sunbeam Rapier statistics

• Licensed in Great Britain 478 −1.8% on a year earlier
• Declared SORN 227 Off the road, not taxed
• Rank by number licensed No. 833 of 1,159 models we cover
• Peak year 1999 609 licensed
• Declared off the road 32.2% of those still registered are SORN
• Most common fuel Petrol 100.0% of those licensed

How many Sunbeam Rapiers are left in Great Britain?

There were 478 Sunbeam Rapiers licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 227 declared off the road (SORN). That is 21.5% fewer than the peak of 609 in 1999.

Sunbeam Rapier MOT reliability

There were not enough MOT tests of Sunbeam Rapiers 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.

Sunbeam Rapier engine sizes and fuel types

Of the 483 Sunbeam Rapiers licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 36.4% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc, and 35.0% have an engine of 1,701cc to 1,800cc. The share with an engine of 1,701cc to 1,800cc has grown from 28.8% in 2014 to 35.0%.

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.

Sunbeam Rapier safety recalls

We found no recalls for the Sunbeam Rapier 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 Sunbeam Rapier. 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 Sunbeam Rapier with other Sunbeam models