FORD · FORD CORTINA · Cars
FORD CORTINA Uncommon
As of 2026 Q1, 8,478 FORD CORTINAs remain registered in the UK — an increasingly uncommon sight on today's roads. Numbers are at their highest recorded level since the model first appeared in our data in 2014 Q3. Unusually, the numbers are actually rising — up 150 (1.8%) over the past year, as imports and barn-finds rejoin the register faster than cars leave it. Tellingly, 42% are declared SORN — kept off the road in garages and barns rather than driven, the signature of a car being looked after rather than used up.
Survivors over time
How rare is it?
Uncommon — a few thousand still about (8,478).
Rarer than 16% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Fuel breakdown
Trend
About the CORTINA
The Ford Cortina is a medium-sized family car manufactured in various body styles from 1962 to 1982. It was the United Kingdom's best-selling car of the 1970s. The Cortina was produced in five generations (Mark I through to Mark V, although officially the last one was only the Cortina 80 facelift of the Mk IV) from 1962 until 1982. From 1970 onward, it was almost identical to the German-market Ford Taunus (being built on the same platform), which was originally a different car model. This was part of Ford's attempt to unify its European operations. By 1976, when the revised Taunus was launched...
FORD CORTINA — questions & answers
How many FORD CORTINA are left in the UK?
As of 2026 Q1, 8,478 FORD CORTINA were still registered in the UK — 4,894 licensed and on the road, plus 3,584 declared SORN (off-road). The figures come from official DVLA vehicle licensing data.
Is the FORD CORTINA rare?
The FORD CORTINA is uncommon, with 8,478 still about, making it rarer than 16% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Is the FORD CORTINA increasing or decreasing?
Over the last year the number of FORD CORTINA on UK roads rose by 150 (1.8%).
What fuel do most FORD CORTINA use?
Most FORD CORTINA run on petrol — about 100% of those still registered, with the rest split across diesel, electric.
When did the FORD CORTINA peak?
The FORD CORTINA peaked at 8,478 registered in 2026 Q1, and was first recorded in the data in 2014 Q3.