UK vehicle statistics / TVR

How many TVR 280 cars are left?

At the end of 2026 Q1, DfT recorded 57 licensed and 221 SORN vehicles in the UK within the TVR 280 generic-model group.

Looking at a 280?

Population figures cannot tell you whether one particular car is taxed, MOT-valid or safe to buy.

Check its registration free for the official tax, MOT and mileage record. If the car is still worth pursuing, the optional £9.99 full history check adds outstanding-finance, stolen and insurance write-off checks.

Wondering whether one particular 280 is off the road? A free SORN check shows whether it is currently SORN, taxed or untaxed.

Is the 280 disappearing?

Licensed numbers peaked at 142 in 2014 Q3 and stand at 57 in 2026 Q1, down 60%. That is down 23% in the five years since 2021 Q1.

A falling population is worth knowing before you buy: it usually means fewer donor cars, fewer specialists and slower parts supply, and it is why a good example of a scarce model can hold its price while a neglected one is hard to sell at any price.

Fuel

DfT codes every vehicle in the TVR 280 generic-model group as petrol.

Before you buy

  • Budget for a shrinking fleet — Licensed numbers are down 60% from the 2014 Q3 peak of 142. Fewer cars on the road usually means fewer donor parts and fewer specialists.
  • Check the actual 280 — These figures describe the model group. Enter the registration for that vehicle's free MOT, tax and mileage record before you pay a deposit.

Quarterly licensed and SORN counts

Every quarter DfT has published for this model group, newest first.

QuarterLicensedSORN
2026 Q157221
2025 Q458219
2025 Q389192
2025 Q289191
2025 Q164214
2024 Q463216
2024 Q394188
2024 Q293185
2024 Q158199
2023 Q456226
2023 Q397187
2023 Q2102179
2023 Q179190
2022 Q475211
2022 Q399183
2022 Q297182
2022 Q179205
2021 Q477213
2021 Q3106182
2021 Q2106181
2021 Q174200
2020 Q474210
2020 Q3103188
2020 Q292181
2020 Q178208
2019 Q483203
2019 Q3113176
2019 Q2108173
2019 Q183185
2018 Q478212
2018 Q3113175
2018 Q2111171
2018 Q195183
2017 Q492200
2017 Q3117175
2017 Q2115178
2017 Q189189
2016 Q478216
2016 Q3118174
2016 Q2128168
2016 Q199182
2015 Q4100195
2015 Q3137158
2015 Q2125161
2015 Q183179
2014 Q488206
2014 Q3142154

Other TVR models

See how many of every TVR model are left

Common questions

How many TVR 280 cars are left in the UK?

57 were licensed and 221 were SORN at the end of 2026 Q1, according to DfT and DVLA statistics for this generic-model group.

How many TVR 280 cars are SORN?

221 are declared SORN, alongside 57 licensed, at the end of 2026 Q1.

Is the 280 disappearing?

Licensed numbers peaked at 142 in 2014 Q3 and stand at 57 in 2026 Q1, down 60%. That is down 23% in the five years since 2021 Q1.

What fuel is the 280 coded as?

DfT codes every vehicle in the TVR 280 generic-model group as petrol.

Does this say whether one 280 is a good buy?

No. These are population figures for the model group. Enter that vehicle's registration for its own free MOT, tax and mileage record.

Source and limitations

Source: Department for Transport and DVLA, df_VEH0120_UK. Released 2026-07-15 under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

DVLA make and model fields are administrative data and can contain omissions or inconsistencies. These statistics describe model groups, not an individual registration.

Confidential cells marked [c] represent between 1 and 4 vehicles and are treated as zero in aggregates, so totals can be slightly understated.