The 2025 UK Military Vehicle Census
A UK nationwide survey by the Military Vehicle Trust to document and understand the scale, diversity, and distribution of ex-military vehicles in private ownership across the United Kingdom.
V1 December 2025
V1 December 2025
Purpose of this Census
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The Military Vehicle Trust (MVT) is proud to launch its first nationwide census/survey aimed at uncovering the true scale and scope of ex-military vehicles currently residing in the UK. Despite the historical and cultural significance of these vehicles, there is no centralised record—neither the DVLA nor other official bodies maintain comprehensive data on their numbers, types, or locations. We believe that this is something the Military Vehicle Trust is perfectly positioned to undertake. This survey is our proactive step toward filling that gap.
We have many reasons for doing this: |
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- Mapping the Landscape: We want to understand what’s out there, how many cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other ex-military vehicles exist, and where they are located.
- Locational Insight: Knowing where these vehicles are helps us connect with owners, support regional events, and respond to public enquiries about rare or historically significant models.
- Raising Awareness: Many owners of ex-military vehicles may not yet know about the MVT. This survey is an opportunity to reach out, engage new enthusiasts, and grow our community.
- Vehicle Identification: Whether it's tracking down a specific vehicle or understanding how these vehicles are registered and marked up, the data will help us navigate the complexities of ownership and classification.
- Publicity and Outreach: The survey itself is a chance to generate positive publicity for the hobby and the MVT, showcasing our commitment to preservation and education.
- Data Ownership and Collaboration: We aim to identify who holds records of military vehicles and explore opportunities to collaborate with collectors, museums, and official bodies.
- Policy and Advocacy: With clean air zones, 10-year tyre rule and other regulatory changes affecting vehicle use, we need solid data to inform our lobbying efforts and help vehicle owners understand and respond to new laws.
- Preserving the Hobby: By gathering data now, we can ensure the longevity of the hobby, support future generations of enthusiasts, and demonstrate its cultural value.
- Public and Institutional Support: The survey will help us respond to public enquiries and support official bodies with reliable, up-to-date information.
We plan to do this survey again in the near future building on what we have learned.
The Military Vehicle Trust
The Military Vehicle Trust is the World’s largest organisation of ex-military vehicle owners and enthusiasts and is dedicated to “keeping our mechanical veterans alive”. We have been a Registered Charity since 1987 and our Charitable Purposes are set down in a document called our “Memorandum of Association”.
The Trust is established for the purpose of restoring and preserving military vehicles of historical interest and the preservation of books, drawings, records, documents, sound and visual recordings, films, photographs and other media and ephemera relating to such vehicles, their history and development, and promoting and encouraging the same aim in others.
More can be found on our activities on our website www.mvt.org.uk
The Trust is established for the purpose of restoring and preserving military vehicles of historical interest and the preservation of books, drawings, records, documents, sound and visual recordings, films, photographs and other media and ephemera relating to such vehicles, their history and development, and promoting and encouraging the same aim in others.
More can be found on our activities on our website www.mvt.org.uk
A Note on Data Accuracy and Limitations
As with any voluntary survey, the results presented here are only as comprehensive as the responses we received. We fully acknowledge that this is not a definitive or complete record of all ex-military vehicles in the UK. Rather, it represents a valuable first step, a snapshot based on the information shared by those who took part.
We recognise several important caveats:
We hope this effort sparks further engagement, encourages more owners to come forward, and helps us refine our approach in future surveys.
We recognise several important caveats:
- Incomplete Coverage: Not every vehicle owner will have seen or responded to the survey. Some may not be aware of the MVT or may have chosen not to participate. As a result, the data likely underrepresents the true number and diversity of vehicles in the UK.
- Data Currency: The information reflects the state of vehicles at the time of submission. Ownership, location, and condition may have changed since then.
- Self-Reported Information: All data was provided by respondents and has not been independently verified. While we trust our community, there may be occasional inaccuracies or inconsistencies. There were many spelling errors in the responses meaning that at times we had to make a best guess or remove if we were not sure.
- Geographic Gaps: Some regions may appear underrepresented simply due to lower response rates, not because fewer vehicles exist there.
- Vehicle Classification: Differences in how vehicles are registered, marked, or described (e.g., civilian vs. military use, or DVLA classifications) may affect how they appear in the data.
- Scope of Inclusion: While we aimed to include all types of ex-military vehicles, some categories may still be underreported or overlooked.
We hope this effort sparks further engagement, encourages more owners to come forward, and helps us refine our approach in future surveys.
What Information Did We Collect?
The Questionnaire
We are aware having conducted this questionnaire that improvements can already be made to make this more impactful for the next survey. These are good learning outcomes for us for the future.
The questionnaire asked the following questions.
To enter this survey your vehicle must have served with an armed force.
The questionnaire asked the following questions.
To enter this survey your vehicle must have served with an armed force.
- How many vehicles have you got (not including trailer)
- Vehicle details,
- Make
- Model
- year
- Reg (optional)
- replica/non-replica
- How long have you owned the vehicle (blocks of years)
- Location, by county
- What is it marked up as? (Country, then free text box for other info)
- Vehicle condition
- On the road
- Running
- Not running
- in bits?
- Do you have a period trailer to accompany your vehicle?
- Name
- E-mail address
- GDPR opt-in
How was the survey advertised?
We were keen to get this survey out to as many people as possible to ensure we got the maximum number of responses. To do this we started with an article in our windscreen magazine to our 6,400 members.
This was followed up by a campaign on Facebook led by our two main Facebook pages and those of all of our areas. We also engaged the areas through the area secretaries asking them to promote this to their members.
Finally, advertising was placed on many of the ex-military vehicle Facebook pages that we could find.
This was followed up by a campaign on Facebook led by our two main Facebook pages and those of all of our areas. We also engaged the areas through the area secretaries asking them to promote this to their members.
Finally, advertising was placed on many of the ex-military vehicle Facebook pages that we could find.
Response Summary
Information about the responses we received and how they were dealt with is included below.
Final number of vehicles recorded: 1,957
- Total responses received: 1,109 (many people had more than one vehicle)
- Some entries were removed
- 1 entry lacked specific vehicle data
- 1 entry contained no information
- Other entries were from overseas respondents and excluded from this analysis
- USA
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- France
- New Zealand
- Germany
- Italy
- Some vehicles were removed as they were not considered to be part of the remit of the survey. These included
- Horse Drawn vehicles
- Non self-propelled artillery
- Trailers were removed from the survey
Final number of vehicles recorded: 1,957
Geographical Inclusion
Responses from the following locations were included:
- Guernsey: 3
- Jersey: 4
- Isle of Man: 1
Number of Vehicles
Overview
This report presents insights into the number of vehicles owned by respondents, highlighting key figures and ownership patterns.
Key Findings
This report presents insights into the number of vehicles owned by respondents, highlighting key figures and ownership patterns.
Key Findings
- Total Number of Vehicles Registered – 1,957
- Average number of vehicles owned per respondent: 2.48
- Highest number owned by a single respondent: 100 vehicles
- Other significant ownership figures:
- Second highest: 81 vehicles
- Third highest: 70 vehicles
- Fourth highest: 47 vehicles
- Number of respondents owning between 17 and 30 vehicles: 5
Vehicle Manufacturers
There were 150 vehicle manufacturers included in the survey (Full list Appendix 1). Some vehicles were difficult to determine the manufacturer as the respondent had not put this in. Vehicles such as the M3 Grant, Sherman and Bren gun carriers were made by a number of manufacturers and so instead of guessing we did not include them in the manufacturers list.
Land Rovers are the most numerous vehicles owned by members followed by the jeeps of Willys and Ford (in that order). Motorbike manufacturers feature strongly in the top ten with BSA and Harley Davidson featuring.
The top 10 manufacturers were as follows:
1 Land Rover 319
2 Willys 254
3 Ford 205
4 Dodge 90
5 BSA 67
6 Austin 60
7 Daimler 59
8 GMC 53
9 Bedford 51
10 Harley Davidson 51
Land Rovers are the most numerous vehicles owned by members followed by the jeeps of Willys and Ford (in that order). Motorbike manufacturers feature strongly in the top ten with BSA and Harley Davidson featuring.
The top 10 manufacturers were as follows:
1 Land Rover 319
2 Willys 254
3 Ford 205
4 Dodge 90
5 BSA 67
6 Austin 60
7 Daimler 59
8 GMC 53
9 Bedford 51
10 Harley Davidson 51
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See Appendix 1 for a full list of all Manufacturers
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We used Artificial Intelligence to determine the countries of manufacture for all the vehicles that responded. This allowed us to determine that all of the vehicles registered came from 16 different countries
There are only three countries represented in the top ten manufacturers which is dominated by Jeeps (Willys, Ford and Hotchkiss) and Land Rovers. The number of French vehicles was heavily skewed by Hotchkiss jeeps.
British 912
US 771
French 52
The top Manufacturing country was, by a long way, The United Kingdom with 61 manufacturers. The next 6 manufacturing companies are shown in the graph below.
United Kingdom 61
United States 33
Germany 17
France 6
Italy 5
Japan 5
Russia 6
There are only three countries represented in the top ten manufacturers which is dominated by Jeeps (Willys, Ford and Hotchkiss) and Land Rovers. The number of French vehicles was heavily skewed by Hotchkiss jeeps.
British 912
US 771
French 52
The top Manufacturing country was, by a long way, The United Kingdom with 61 manufacturers. The next 6 manufacturing companies are shown in the graph below.
United Kingdom 61
United States 33
Germany 17
France 6
Italy 5
Japan 5
Russia 6
The other countries included on the list, with the number of manufacturers were
Austria 4
Switzerland 3
Canada 2
Sweden 2
Ukraine 2
Australia 1
Belgium 1
China 1
India 1
Austria 4
Switzerland 3
Canada 2
Sweden 2
Ukraine 2
Australia 1
Belgium 1
China 1
India 1
Dates of Manufacture
As part of the survey, we recorded the year of manufacture for each vehicle. Some responses were excluded, such as those entered incorrectly or those referring only to a decade (e.g., “the 80s”).
In total, we captured 1,888 valid manufacture dates, spanning an extensive range from 1911 to 2016.
When grouped by era:
Vehicles By Era
In total, we captured 1,888 valid manufacture dates, spanning an extensive range from 1911 to 2016.
When grouped by era:
- Second World War (1939–1945) accounts for the largest share, with 974 vehicles.
- Post-war period (1946 onwards) follows closely with 886.
- Pre-war years (1911–1938) represent just 21 vehicles.
Vehicles By Era
Original Versus Replica
Respondents were asked to indicate whether their vehicle was an original or a replica. Almost all participants provided an answer, and no alternative options were offered for this question.
The results show that the vast majority of preserved ex-military vehicles are original. However, among those identified as replicas, several distinct categories emerged:
The results show that the vast majority of preserved ex-military vehicles are original. However, among those identified as replicas, several distinct categories emerged:
- Motorcycles – A number of motorbikes were reported as replicas, including models such as the MZ TS150 and Ural M66.
- Staff Cars – Some civilian vehicles had been adapted to resemble military staff cars, for example, the Humber Hawk and Hillman Minx.
- Land Rovers – A few respondents had modified their Land Rover or converted a civilian version for military-style use, such as the 110 Defender Hi-Cap SAS DPV replica or conversions to FFR specification.
- Jeeps – Many Hotchkiss owners described their vehicles as “replica” Second World War jeeps.
- Civilian Conversions – Several replicas were civilian vehicles converted to mimic military designs.
- True Replicas – Two vehicles described as Kübelwagens were confirmed as purpose-built replicas.
Length of Vehicle Ownership
Respondents were asked how long they had owned their vehicle, selecting from five options:
- Up to 12 months
- 1–2 years
- 2–5 years
- 5–15 years
- 15 years +
Vehicle Condition
To assess the condition of the vehicles, respondents were asked to select one of four categories:
- In bits
- Not running
- On the road
- Running but not road registered
Period Trailer with the Vehicle
We asked respondents whether they owned a period trailer to accompany their vehicle, aiming to gauge how many such trailers are in preservation. It is recognised that certain vehicles, such as motorcycles, are unlikely to have trailers.
The survey identified 380 trailers among the responses received.
The survey identified 380 trailers among the responses received.
Distribution of Privately Owned Ex-Military Vehicles by County
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The distribution of privately owned ex-military vehicles across the UK shows a clear concentration in certain counties. The Top Three Counties are
Ownership is overwhelmingly centred in England, which accounts for approximately 94% of all vehicles, compared to 3% in Wales, 2% in Scotland, and less than 1% in Northern Ireland. |
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Notable English counties with high numbers include Surrey (46), Essex (37), Lincolnshire (37), and Wiltshire (27), reflecting strong historic and rural military connections. Island regions such as the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands contribute only a small proportion, highlighting the dominance of mainland counties in vehicle preservation.
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See Appendix 2 for a full list of all Counties
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Conclusion
This inaugural census by the Military Vehicle Trust has provided an unprecedented insight into the scale, diversity, and distribution of privately owned ex-military vehicles across the United Kingdom.
Our motivation for undertaking this survey was to address the lack of centralised records and to better understand the community of owners, the vehicles themselves, and their locations. By gathering and analysing this data, we aim to support enthusiasts, inform policy and advocacy, and preserve the rich heritage of military vehicles for future generations.
We hope that readers find this report informative and that it offers a clearer picture of the ex-military vehicle landscape in the UK. Whether you are an owner, enthusiast, policymaker, or simply interested in our shared history, we trust that the findings will be of value and may inspire further engagement with the hobby.
Recognising that this survey is only a snapshot based on voluntary responses, we plan to repeat and refine the census in the future, building on what we have learned to ensure even greater accuracy and coverage. We encourage all owners and supporters to participate in future surveys, helping us to strengthen our understanding and advocacy for the preservation of these vehicles.
If you would like to discuss the findings further, contribute to future surveys, or have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Our motivation for undertaking this survey was to address the lack of centralised records and to better understand the community of owners, the vehicles themselves, and their locations. By gathering and analysing this data, we aim to support enthusiasts, inform policy and advocacy, and preserve the rich heritage of military vehicles for future generations.
We hope that readers find this report informative and that it offers a clearer picture of the ex-military vehicle landscape in the UK. Whether you are an owner, enthusiast, policymaker, or simply interested in our shared history, we trust that the findings will be of value and may inspire further engagement with the hobby.
Recognising that this survey is only a snapshot based on voluntary responses, we plan to repeat and refine the census in the future, building on what we have learned to ensure even greater accuracy and coverage. We encourage all owners and supporters to participate in future surveys, helping us to strengthen our understanding and advocacy for the preservation of these vehicles.
If you would like to discuss the findings further, contribute to future surveys, or have any questions, please contact [email protected].
