Endangered species: could these cars disappear soon?

Like the Woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the dinosaurs, some of the most renowned and formidable cars from the (not so distant) past could very soon become extinct.

Well, on Aussie roads at least.

That’s right, some of the most ‘rad’ and ‘da bomb’ cars made in the 1980s and 1990s are now, as Gen Z would say, cheugy, according to the latest research from iSelect.

By analysing the most popular car models from the 1980s and 1990s, as well as the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE’s) Road Vehicles Australia 2024 database, iSelect was able to determine how many vehicle makes and models produced in these decades are still around today.

The insurer found that some of our favourites from the 80s and 90s are still banging around on our roads with force, including the Holden Commodore, which has a total of 11,000 vehicles, the highest count of all popular models from that decade.

Similarly, there are 63,259 Toyota LandCruisers from the 90s remaining.

But the data also revealed many other vehicles where far fewer remain active around the country.

So, which cars are most endangered?

According to the interactive search tool from iSelect, which utilises the data, the top of the endangered list features the Fiat 500 from the 1980s, with just three vehicles remaining, while the Nissan 300 follows closely behind, with just six cars on Australian roads.

From the 90s, there are just 15 examples of the Ford Sierra thought to be on road, and the poor Toyota Spacia? Well, it too has joined the dodo in the extinct category and is the only model listed to do so.

R.I.P.

Sitting somewhere in the middle is the ‘super rad’ Nissan Skyline with 7,726 vehicles left nationwide in 2024, my mum’s beloved Hyundai Excel (7,288 still chugging along), and my husband’s family car, the pioneering people-mover, the Toyota Tarago, still has 3,341 units on road.

Of all the oldest cars in Australia – including those built between 1900 and 1909 – Ford and Cadillac hold the title for the longest surviving vehicles, with 12 cars still registered.
And while this number is tiny compared to modern vehicle counts, it highlights the longevity of some models, which are now cherished by enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Adrian Bennett, General Manager at iSelect told carsales the data provides an interesting insight into the current vehicle landscape in Australia, indicating how rapidly it is evolving.

"Iconic names like Holden and Ford, which once dominated our roads and held a special place in the hearts of many Aussies, are now seeing a decline in numbers,” said Bennett.

“This shift isn’t just due to the end of local manufacturing for Holden or changes within Ford – it’s also a result of increased competition and evolving consumer preferences.”

While much of the decline reflects the aging of the vehicles, evolving safety standards and the challenges of maintaining older models, Bennett says it also reflects the changing preferences and shifting customer demands towards different types of cars.

“Australians are gravitating towards larger vehicles, like SUVs and utes, as well as cars that offer greater fuel efficiency and advanced technology, giving rise to new favourites on our roads,” he said.

“Some of the new favourite brands are Isuzu and MG, which are experiencing phenomenal growth. Their success is driven by a strong focus on reliability, affordability, and features that resonate with today’s drivers.”

But if you’re still a proud driver of a popular car made in the 80s or 90s, you can check to see how many others are still enjoying your ride via iSelect’s interactive search tool and see all the data here.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au