The shortest-lived cars in UK history

Slide of Some cars are so brilliant they stay on the market for a long period. Most cars tend to last around seven or eight years on the market, with a mid-life facelift to keep things fresh. Some cars are axed early because they were ahead of their time; others were plain wrong, didn't sell and were put out of their misery, and others fell victim to corporate failures and other machinations well above their paygrade. Behold then, these are the George Lazenbys of British motoring history, complete with information as on how many are left on our roads, and current guide prices in case any tempt you: Slide of FIVE YEARS ON SALE And we start off with the comparative winners, the cars that lasted around five years or so on the market... Alfa Romeo 159 (2006-11) The handsome 159 wasn't a bad car, but the preceding 156’s poor reliability and poor dealer support doomed it from the start however. How many left? Roughly 5300 I want one – how much? Decent ones from £1500 Slide of Audi A2 (2000-05) A rare off-target car from Audi, though only relatively, as you’ll see from the numbers remaining. Functional low-drag styling produced a sophisticated but earnest look that put off some, while others loved its lightweight aluminium construction and high-rise seating. A firm ride and the need to pay extra for a fifth seat were minor annoyances in a car that was way ahead of its time. High production costs combined lethally with slowing sales to kill it prematurely. How many left? Around 9000 I want one – how much? Decent ones without inter-galactic mileages are around £1800, and have future classic potential. Slide of Peugeot RCZ (2010-15) This pretty coupé was barely promoted by Peugeot post-launch, with obvious, sad consequences. Another tiresome aspect was that this would-be sports car shared its platform with the Peugeot Partner van and Citroën Berlingo van-with-windows. What could possibly go wrong? The high-performance R version has its fans in our office, however. How many left? Around 11,500 I want one – how much? Decent ones from £3500. RCZ Rs from £12,000. Slide of Vauxhall Signum (2003-08) A grim example of GM’s build-it-and-it-will-sell arrogance that was only tempered by its near demise in 2009. With hindsight, it's amazing that this pointless, long-wheelbase oddball remained on sale for five years. One ill-starred product of the short-lived 2000-2005 GM-Fiat alliance, it's the sister car to the Fiat Croma, which you will not be shocked and surprised to learn also puts in an appearance in this feature... How many left? Around 2900 I am mildly eccentric and want one – how much? OKish cars from £1700 Slide of FOUR YEARS ON SALE: Cadillac BLS (2006-10) Amazing that this one lasted as long as it did, but perhaps stocks took time to clear. A reskinned Saab 9-3, the BLS was unusual for being the only Cadillac never sold in the US, being built in Sweden and available with an Italian diesel engine. Nothing wrong with the international confection, but the BLS’s limited talents turned it into a cut-price Saab. Industry wags dubbed it the Bob Lutz Special after the GM bigwig who championed this particular idea. Did the wagon version help? No. How many left? Around 250 I want one – how much? Only two on sale right now, from £4000. Slide of Chevrolet Aveo (2011-15) This small, cheap car was stalled by Chevrolet’s withdrawal from the UK; it briefly sold in decent numbers before it's now fading as fast as a Snapchat message. How many left? Around 12,000 I want one – how much? Sheds from £1500, decent ones from £1800. Slide of Chevrolet Orlando (2011-15) Another car prematurely deceased when Chevy withdrew from the UK. Built in South Korea, this 7-seater was actually decent and practical enough. How many left? Roughly 4800 I want one – how much? £3000 will get you a 2011 example with 81,000 miles on the clock. Slide of Chrysler Ypsilon (2011-15) This was a quirkily appealing little Lancia – for that is what it really was behind the Chrysler badge – but troubled. It died when the Chrysler name disappeared from the UK, but lives on in Italy as a Lancia, that company’s only and probably last-ever model. How many left? Roughly 5000 I want one – how much? From £2000. Slide of Jeep Patriot (2007-11) The Patriot was uncertain off-road, miserable on it, what with its Poundland-standard cabin plastics and yelling VW diesel engine. How many left? Around 3500 I still want one – how much? Decent ones from £2700. Slide of MG 6 Magnette (2011-15) The Magnette was a booted version of the MG6 hatch, badged with the fabled MG name in desperation. Not the worst drive in the world, it was petrol-only, and hampered by very high running costs. How many left? Around 1000 I want one – how much? Decent ones from £3000. Slide of Seat Exeo (2009-2013) This feature story is hardly short of poor-selling odditie