2025 Year in Review: The UK Classic Car Scene

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Major Events of 2025
• Tragedy and Remembrance
• Golden Anniversaries
• Market Trends and Auction Highlights
• Barn Finds and Restorations
• Looking Ahead

Introduction

The year 2025 has been one of contrasts for the UK classic car community. We celebrated milestone anniversaries, witnessed record auction results, and gathered at beloved events across the country. Yet we also mourned tragic losses that reminded us of the fragility of both life and the heritage we work to preserve. This roundup brings together the defining moments of a year that will long be remembered.

Major Events of 2025

Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC (7-9 November)

The UK’s biggest indoor classic car event delivered once again, with an estimated £14 million worth of machinery on display. Highlights included the Jaguar Drivers’ Club’s 1956 D-type Long Nose valued at £8 million, a concours-standard Ferrari F40, and a trio of historic Bugattis worth £2.5 million combined. Celebrity appeal came courtesy of Richard Hammond’s Buick and the beloved Oliver the Reliant Robin.

Goodwood Revival (12-14 September)

The period-themed Revival drew its customary huge crowds, with pre-1966 and 1966-75 road cars showcased in the Revival Car Show “Over the Road”. British icons including Bentleys, Aston Martins, Jaguars, and Rolls-Royces shared the spotlight with rare Continentals and American classics, all set against historic racing on the Motor Circuit.

Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace (5-7 September)

Regarded as the UK’s premier concours event, this year’s gathering at Hampton Court Palace continued to stand alongside Pebble Beach and Villa d’Este as one of the world’s most prestigious elegance contests, showcasing ultra-rare and beautifully presented vehicles.

Silverstone Festival (22-24 August)

The home of the British Grand Prix hosted non-stop historic racing in its characteristically relaxed atmosphere. Everything from pre-war racers to modern GTs took to the track, including historic Aston Martins and other British icons.

Donington Historic Festival (2-4 May)

This premier historic motorsport weekend celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Formula 1 World Championship under the theme “The Winning Formula – Champions and Challengers”. Classic single-seaters and sports cars from across the decades delighted fans with races, track parades, and displays.

Best of British at Brooklands (26 May)

Bank Holiday Monday saw Brooklands Museum host its quintessential celebration of British automotive heritage, featuring everything from pre-war Alvis and Sunbeam to contemporary Jaguar and MG. The Test Hill ascents proved a particular highlight. Read our full coverage.

Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show (21-23 March)

The DIY restorer’s paradise brought over 1,300 classic cars to the NEC, alongside live restoration demonstrations and a major auction by Iconic Auctioneers. A key date for owners seeking parts, advice, and project inspiration.

Tragedy and Remembrance

The Bicester Motion Fire

The year’s darkest chapter came on 15th May when a devastating fire broke out at Bicester Motion. The blaze claimed three lives: two brave firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty, and one member of the public. The heritage site, home to over 50 specialist businesses, has long been a cornerstone of Britain’s classic motoring landscape. The tragedy served as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by emergency services and the fragility of the spaces we hold dear.

Sir Tom Farmer (1940-2025)

The classic car community also mourned the passing of Sir Tom Farmer, founder of the Kwik Fit garage chain, who died peacefully at his Edinburgh home on 9th May, aged 84. From founding Kwik Fit in 1971 to selling it to Ford for £1 billion in 1999, Farmer transformed automotive services in Britain. His legacy of innovation, business acumen, and philanthropy will endure.

Golden Anniversaries

2025 marked 50 years since some truly iconic vehicles rolled off the production line. Read our full anniversary feature.

Jaguar XJS

Initially controversial for departing from E-Type aesthetics, the XJS eventually found success on road and screen, becoming a collector favourite.

Triumph TR7

The wedge-shaped sports car represented a bold step forward in design, replacing the TR6 and appealing to a new generation.

Rolls-Royce Camargue

Paolo Martin’s brutalist design for Pininfarina was polarising at launch but is now recognised for its forward-thinking approach.

Volkswagen Polo

The practical, economical supermini quickly became a global success and remains in production today.

Vauxhall Cavalier

A turning point for Vauxhall, helping establish the brand as a major player in the UK family car market.

Reliant Kitten

The lightweight, fibreglass-bodied small car offered affordable motoring and is now cherished for its quirky charm.

Market Trends and Auction Highlights

Q1 Market Analysis

The Porsche 911, particularly 996 and 997 performance variants, continued its upward trajectory. The Maserati MC12 stood out with a remarkable 53% year-on-year value increase, adding £900,000 to its average price.

Market analysts noted a shift in buyer demographics, with fewer younger entrants and growing interest in sub-£50,000 “bargain” classics as accessible entry points to collecting. Read our full Q1 market analysis.

Hagerty’s 2025 Bull Market Picks

Hagerty UK identified strong value or growth potential in models including the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, Austin Healey 3000, Ferrari F355, and 1990s Maserati Ghibli – spanning price points from around £600 to over £100,000.

Modern Classics on the Rise

Experts increasingly tipped post-2000 models as future classics, while older “stalwarts” from the 1970s-1980s offered tempting value following price corrections after the 2021-2023 boom.

Auction Season Highlights

The year saw strong auction activity, with notable sales at Anglia Car Auctions, H&H Classics at Millbrook Proving Grounds, and Mathewsons in Pickering. A South Gloucestershire barn-find auction in June featuring over 200 vehicles became one of Britain’s largest such events. See our May and June auction previews.

Barn Finds and Restorations

Bond-Style DB5 Restored

A 1960s Aston Martin DB5, famously left to rot on a driveway in Mold, Flintshire, was fully restored by Aston Martin’s heritage team after 2,500 hours of work. Now valued at around £1 million and said to be in better condition than when it left the factory, its owner described the first drive in over 45 years as feeling “27 again”.

Practical Classics Discoveries

The Restoration Show highlighted remarkable finds including a rare 1933 Jaguar SS2 Series 1 Coupe (believed to be one of only three survivors) and a 1957 Morris Minor modified for a world tour in the 1980s – reinforcing the UK’s rich heritage of long-forgotten classics being brought back to life.

The Skills Question

The year brought renewed focus on whether traditional restoration craftsmanship can survive. The Heritage Skills Academy in Bicester continues training the next generation, while organisations like FIVA warned of a global skills shortage. Generation Z’s growing interest in 1990s “modern classics” like the Mazda MX-5 offers hope, even as the average classic car owner age remains at 54.

The Tax Exemption Debate

Classic car owners watched closely as reports emerged that the 40-year rolling Vehicle Excise Duty exemption might be under review. While the current rule remained in place (exempting vehicles first registered before 1985), the debate highlighted concerns about future ownership costs, with over 300,000 UK classics currently benefiting from the exemption.

Looking Ahead

As 2025 draws to a close, the UK classic car scene remains vibrant despite its challenges. The community has shown remarkable resilience in the face of tragedy, while continuing to celebrate the vehicles and heritage that bring us together.

The market offers opportunities for both seasoned collectors and newcomers, with accessible modern classics sitting alongside blue-chip investments. And as we prepare for another packed calendar of events, shows, and auctions in 2026, one thing remains certain: the passion for classic motoring in Britain shows no signs of diminishing.

This article draws on Chronicle coverage throughout 2025. For detailed reporting on specific events and topics, explore our archive.