Popular cars could disappear from UK roads within years as drivers avoid high costs

Sales of convertibles in the UK have dropped 66 per cent since 2019, with just 0.6 per cent of cars being open-tops nowadays.

This is down from 3.1 per cent in 2010, with motorists turning their backs on convertibles amid concerns around a lack of boot space.

The reduced rear seating also puts drivers off, especially if they have larger families and require the extra space for their children, prompting the rise in SUVs.

Financial pressures are also impacting sales, with many drivers finding it difficult to justify having a "weekend car" in the midst of the cost of living crisis.

There were just 12,173 new convertibles registered in 2024, prompting experts to point out that many drivers prefer practical, everyday cars.

Paul Barker, editor of Auto Express, said: "Convertibles haven't suddenly lost their appeal - but for many buyers they've become harder to justify and even harder to afford.

"Rising prices, shrinking choice and changing priorities mean the drop-top is no longer the go-to dream car it once was."

There are just 16 convertibles from popular brands that cost less than £150,000, excluding any kit cars or track-focused models.

In a damning assessment of the trend of drop-tops becoming less common, only the Mazda MX-5 and Mini Cooper Convertible are on the market for less than £30,000.

Motorists who still want to get their hands on a new convertible will pay an average of £68,500, with the median price just under £55,000.

Mr Barker continued, saying: "Mainstream convertibles have all but disappeared. Where we once had Golf, Focus and Megane cabriolets - and until last year, the BMW Z4 - buyers are now faced with premium sports cars and luxury models instead.

"The 'death' of the BMW Z4 particularly is emblematic of the apparent demise of the affordable convertible."

He highlighted that the rising prices of rarer convertibles add to the cost pressures facing drivers who want to invest.

While convertibles are slowly being removed from UK roads, SUVs are taking over, with one in three new cars being larger, up from one in four in 2019.

Drivers frequently praise the space included in an SUV, with most brands pushing SUVs as their flagship models, especially manufacturers looking to sell electric vehicles.

Some convertibles may remain on the road, although these will be high-priced models from luxury manufacturers who continue to produce small batches of open-top cars.

Mr Barker concluded: "Convertibles aren't dead, but the affordable, everyday ones are certainly dying out, with the MX-5 one of the very few affordable convertible models still on sale today.

"For many drivers, the only realistic way to enjoy roof-down motoring in the future may be through the used car market."