Britain’s love of classic and historic vehicles isn’t just a passion – it’s a significant economic engine. According to the 2025 National Historic Vehicle Survey commissioned by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) and conducted by Turquoise Thinking Ltd, the historic vehicle movement now contributes an estimated £7.3 billion annually to the UK economy.
This landmark report – the most comprehensive of its kind ever conducted – reveals that historic vehicles are not only treasured pieces of engineering and culture, but also pillars of economic value, community engagement and heritage tourism across the UK.
Historic Vehicles: A £7.3 Billion Economic Powerhouse
The FBHVC National Historic Vehicle Survey 2025 shows:
- A £7.3 billion economic contribution annually from historic vehicle activity
- Owners spend an average of £4,567 per year maintaining and enjoying their vehicles
- The sector supports 2,700 specialist businesses across restoration, parts supply, museums, events and more
- These businesses employ 34,500 skilled people and nearly half already offer – or plan to offer – apprenticeship programs to nurture future talent
Historic vehicles clearly fuel a thriving supply chain, from independent specialists to heritage events and tourism-related services.
Engaging Millions: Passion That Translates into Participation
The survey highlights widespread enthusiasm for heritage motoring:
- Nearly 690,800 historic vehicle owners are registered in the UK
- More than 22.7 million adults recognise historic vehicles as a vital part of Britain’s heritage
- 9.7 million people say they’d like to own a historic vehicle
- 4.3 million people attended a historic vehicle event in the last year – double the number recorded in 2020
These figures underscore not just hobbyist participation, but real community and cultural engagement across generations.
Heritage, Accessibility and Environmental Impact
While the sector is thriving, the survey also highlights key challenges:
- The average historic vehicle owner is now 66 years old, and there’s an urgent need to engage younger enthusiasts
- Encouragingly, the under-35 age group shows the strongest interest growth, supported by the new “Youngtimer” category for vehicles aged 20-30
- With broad public support for apprenticeships in historic vehicle maintenance and restoration, 45% of specialist businesses are already offering or planning training programmes to pass on vital heritage skills
FBHVC Chairman David Whale emphasises the importance of this next generation, noting that initiatives like Youngtimer and structured apprenticeships are essential to ensure that these vehicles – and the skills to care for them – thrive for decades to come.
Why This Matters
At Solo Classics, we celebrate not only beautiful machines, but the people, skills and communities that sustain them. This latest FBHVC report isn’t just a snapshot – it’s compelling evidence that classic vehicles matter far beyond the garage or Sunday drive. They’re a vibrant, living part of Britain’s cultural and economic tapestry.
Whether you’re an owner, an enthusiast, a restoration specialist, or someone considering dipping a toe into the world of historic motoring, this research highlights a sector that’s robust, inclusive and growing – and one with a bright future if we continue to invest in its people and skills.
Read the full FBHVC 2025 National Historic Vehicle Survey here: https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/news/article/britains-love-of-historic-vehicles-powers-73-billion-boost-to-the-uk-economy