ROVER · ROVER STERLING · Cars
ROVER STERLING Rare
As of 2026 Q1, 435 ROVER STERLINGs remain registered in the UK — a genuinely rare sight on today's roads. That's down from a peak of 748 in 2014 Q3 — only 58% of the high-water mark, a loss of about 313 cars. They're disappearing at roughly 18 a year (4.1% of what's left), a pace that would halve the survivors by around 2043 if it held — though in practice the last, most-cherished examples tend to linger far longer. Tellingly, 78% 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?
Rare — fewer than 1,000 remain (435 in the latest data).
Rarer than 44% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
📉 Rate of decline
Disappearing at about 18 a year (4.1% of survivors). At that pace roughly 353 would remain in 5 years, and half the current fleet is gone by around ~2043.
About the STERLING
The Rover 800 series is an executive car (E-segment in Europe) range manufactured by the Austin Rover Group subsidiary of British Leyland, and its successor the Rover Group from 1986 to 1999. It was also marketed as the Sterling in the United States. Co-developed with Honda, the 800 was a close relative to the Honda/Acura Legend and the successor to the decade-old Rover SD1.
ROVER STERLING — questions & answers
How many ROVER STERLING are left in the UK?
As of 2026 Q1, 435 ROVER STERLING were still registered in the UK — 94 licensed and on the road, plus 341 declared SORN (off-road). The figures come from official DVLA vehicle licensing data.
Is the ROVER STERLING rare?
The ROVER STERLING is rare — fewer than 1,000 remain (435), making it rarer than 44% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Is the ROVER STERLING increasing or decreasing?
Over the last year the number of ROVER STERLING on UK roads fell by 6 (1.4%). At the current rate of decline, roughly 353 would remain in 5 years.
What fuel do most ROVER STERLING use?
Most ROVER STERLING run on petrol — about 100% of those still registered.
When did the ROVER STERLING peak?
The ROVER STERLING peaked at 748 registered in 2014 Q3, and was first recorded in the data in 2014 Q3.