How many Lada Nivas are left in New Zealand?
Scarce 1 in 24,097 on the road Built 1983-2001 Sold new in New Zealand
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
A small Soviet four-wheel drive that was ahead of its time. Launched in 1977, the Niva put permanent four-wheel drive, coil springs and independent front suspension under a car-like unitary body, years before the idea became common. It is tough, light and very good off road, and it is still being built in Russia.
Still on the road, by model year
The most are from 1990: 37 still registered. Every year is listed under the chart.
Every model year
| Model year | Still registered |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1984 | 14 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1988 | 19 |
| 1989 | 30 |
| 1990 | 37 |
| 1991 | 15 |
| 1992 | 4 |
| 1993 | 10 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 1998 | 4 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
What Scarce means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 194 still registered, the Lada Niva is Scarce: the grade for cars with 175 to 1,199 left.
By how many are left it ranks 1st of the 4 Lada models and 844th of all 2,903 cars in Spotto's catalogue.
The six grades: Common, 8,000 or more · Uncommon, 1,200 to 7,999 · Scarce, 175 to 1,199 · Rare, 25 to 174 · Super rare, 5 to 24 · Unicorn, fewer than 5.
Seen one?
Spotto grades every car on New Zealand roads by how many are still registered, down to the generation and the badge. Log the ones you spot, build a collection, and see who else has found one.