Classic car hotspots in South West: where are the most classic cars?

Are South West’s classic cars driven or stored?

Across South West, 53.5% of classic cars are taxed and on the road, while 46.5% are declared off the road on a SORN. That’s a lower off-road rate than the UK average, suggesting owners here are getting good use out of their classics. Nationally, the split between taxed and SORN classics is almost exactly even, and it shifts noticeably from place to place.

Why do these areas have so many classic cars?

In our experience, classic car hotspots share a few things in common. They tend to be more rural or suburban than inner-city, because classics need space, a garage or off-street parking to keep them dry and secure. They often have quieter, more scenic roads that make ownership rewarding, and long-established local car clubs and specialists that keep older vehicles on the road. That’s why the leading districts in South West are rarely the busiest town centres, but the areas around them.

Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director of Heritage Car Insurance said:

”The South West is classic car country in the truest sense, and the data shows owners here are getting out and using their cars, not just storing them. With that mileage comes exposure, though, so it pays to have specialist cover built for a classic rather than a standard motor policy, including agreed value, so you’re properly protected if the worst happens on one of those beautiful West Country roads”

Wherever in South West you keep your classic, it deserves cover built around it. Heritage offers specialist classic car insurance with agreed value protection, plus laid-up cover for cars kept off the road. You can also explore where classics live across the country in our guide to where Britain keeps its classic cars, or browse our other classic car guides.

Bug Nik

29 May 2026

Another year of insuring my two classic cars with Heritage. Very competitive renewal. Agent Seema was very helpful and patient in adding another driver to my policy. The customer portal is great for accessing policy paperwork and updating details. I would highly recommend.

Mark Burrows

3 June 2026

Excellent service

John

19 May 2026

I have recently been in contact with Heritage Insurance Brokers, who I have had my classic 1960 Morris Mini Minor insured through for many years. I wanted to increase the agreed value. The team were most helpful. A gave them a history oqr the car and provided 6 photographs of the car including the interior, engine bay etc. Within two days they cam back to me agreeing the value I wanted at a very satisfctory premium

Chris Charalambous

24 May 2026

Thank you Tamba for great service and price

Methodology

Figures are drawn from a DVLA Freedom of Information response (FOIR13488, May 2026 snapshot), covering vehicles in the DVLA’s historic taxation class, those 40 years or older with a recorded date of manufacture of 1985 or earlier (where the manufacture date is unavailable, the year of first registration is used). Vehicles are shown by postcode district and by whether they are taxed (on the road) or declared off the road under a SORN. South West figures combine the relevant postcode areas; rankings reflect total historic vehicles per district.