RENAULT · RENAULT 12 · Cars
RENAULT 12 Ultra-rare
As of 2025 Q4, 96 RENAULT 12s remain registered in the UK — one of the rarest cars in Britain on today's roads. That's down from a peak of 111 in 2014 Q3 — only 86% of the high-water mark, a loss of about 15 cars. Unusually, the numbers are actually rising — up 1 (1.1%) over the past year, as imports and barn-finds rejoin the register faster than cars leave it. Tellingly, 46% 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. In all, the RENAULT 12 is rarer than 59% of the 2,408 UK car models we track, putting it firmly in 2025's endangered class.
Survivors over time
How rare is it?
Genuinely rare — only 96 left on UK roads.
Rarer than 59% of the 2,408 UK car models we track.
Fuel breakdown
Trend
About the 12
The Renault 12 is a small family car introduced by French automaker Renault at the Paris Motor Show in October 1969 and produced in France until 1980. Available as a saloon (Berline) and estate (Break), it was also produced under licence in many countries around the globe into the early 21st century. In its first few years the 12 received praise from the European press for its spacious, comfortable interior, its styling, its performance and its low fuel consumption. However it fared worse in the North American press: in a test of the 1974 model, Road & Track was critical of the engine's "obtrusive...
RENAULT 12 — questions & answers
How many RENAULT 12 are left in the UK?
As of 2025 Q4, 96 RENAULT 12 were still registered in the UK — 52 licensed and on the road, plus 44 declared SORN (off-road). The figures come from official DVLA vehicle licensing data.
Is the RENAULT 12 rare?
The RENAULT 12 is genuinely rare, with only 96 left, making it rarer than 59% of the 2,408 UK car models we track.
Is the RENAULT 12 increasing or decreasing?
Over the last year the number of RENAULT 12 on UK roads rose by 1 (1.1%).
What fuel do most RENAULT 12 use?
Most RENAULT 12 run on petrol — about 99% of those still registered, with the rest split across diesel.
When did the RENAULT 12 peak?
The RENAULT 12 peaked at 111 registered in 2014 Q3, and was first recorded in the data in 2014 Q3.