Parked inside a prestigious luxury car showroom in Guildford is a line-up of automotive royalty: Aston Martins, Ferraris, Porsches and Rolls-Royces.

But among the supercars and grand tourers sits a vehicle that looks spectacularly out of place.

Because just a stone’s throw from a 2025 ‘Verde Zeltweg’ green Ferrari 12Cilindri for sale for £400,000 and a 1970 Aston Martin DB6 with a ticket price of £380,000 is a humble Lada.

Bramley Motor Cars, located in the quintessential Surrey village with which it shares its name, is believed to be the only dealership in Britain currently stocking a vehicle made by the infamous Russian manufacturer.

Ladas sold in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s, including the Riva and Samara, were often the butt of countless jokes. The Soviet-era cars were cheap, dated and became symbols of Cold War austerity and questionable build quality.

Yet the lone Lada currently on sale in Britain is anything but inexpensive. This Niva SUV is on the market for a shade under £22,000. 

Why so pricey, you ask? That’s because it is one of the last examples imported from the Russian factory… and it has barely turned a wheel since landing on UK shores.

It’s also one of the rarest vehicles on the road, with fewer than 40 examples believed to remain registered.

The only Lada on sale in Britain: This three-door Niva 4×4 is currently available in a luxury used car showroom and could be yours for less than £22,000 

The Russian Lada Niva first went into production in 1977 but is still being produced in the country today

Dating back to 1977, the boxy three-door off-roader might look almost half a century old but this example is far newer than appearances suggest.

The Niva was officially available in Britain until 1996, though it was never a strong seller.

However, series production in Russia is still going to this day. 

State-owned car giant AvtoVAZ still builds the rugged four-wheel-drive model today, and it remains remarkably faithful to the original design.

Until recently, a specialist British importer was bringing new Nivas – though in left-hand-drive only – into the country, selling them from £19,595.

The Niva was officially available in Britain until 1996, though it was never a strong seller. This example, for sale through Bamley Motor Cars in Guilford, is one of the latest examples

Until recently, a specialist British importer was bringing new Nivas – though in left-hand-drive only – into the country. This 2021 car will be one of the last to have arrived

However, sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine effectively brought the business to a halt.

Speaking to Autocar in 2023, importer Mark Key of Lada Niva 4x4s and vans in Northamptonshire said the war had ‘ended the business full stop’ and prevented him from bringing any more examples into the country.

That makes this 2021 model one of the last Nivas likely to have arrived here from AvtoVAZ’s vast 1,480-acre factory in Tolyatti.

Its rarity is reflected in the numbers.

According to How Many Left, which uses DVLA registration data, there are believed to be just 36 Nivas still licensed for use on Britain’s roads.

Sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine effectively closed down the Uk importer who was blocked from bringing them into the country

Incredibly, AutoVas is still producing both the three and five-door (pictured) variants of the Riva in its vast 1,480-acre factory in Tolyatti, Russia

Power comes from an eight-valve naturally aspirated 1.7-litre petrol engine producing a modest 82bhp, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Despite its ageing roots, the Niva meets Euro five emissions standards and is therefore compliant with London’s ULEZ requirements.

What it isn’t is fast.

The 0-62mph sprint takes a leisurely 17 seconds, while top speed is limited to 88mph. Economy is hardly impressive either, with an official figure of just 23.3mpg.

Yet outright performance has never been the Niva’s selling point.

Instead, its ability to tackle almost any terrain has earned it a loyal cult following among off-road enthusiasts.

It’s not a quick car. The 0-62mph sprint takes a leisurely 17 seconds, while top speed is limited to 88mph. It’s relatively thirsty on fuel too, returning just 23.3mpg

In a showroom typically packed with Aston Martins, Ferraris, Porsches and Rolls-Royces, the Lada sticks out like a sore thumb

It historically built a reputation for bulletproof durability.

Former The Grand Tour host James May test drove one on Top Gear in 2008 and said it skipped around tough farm terrain like a ‘randy goat’ and praised it for being no-frills.

He added it is ‘absolutely fit for purpose, in the way few things are’.

Famously, Russian President Vladimir Putin turned up to an event in a pumped up and camouflaged Niva, giving it a much-needed publicity boost back in 2009.

However, he later revealed it had a German-made engine produced by Opel because it was ‘more powerful’.

This Luxe model comes with some – though not all – mod cons. This includes air conditioning, heated front seats, electric windows and electrically adjustable door mirrors

The 2021 71-plate car has just 583km (362 miles) from new. It is also one of the last examples shipped to the UK

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Unsurprisingly, it is currently the cheapest vehicle listed among Bramley Motor Cars’ stock.

Finished in Panther Black, this ‘Luxe’ model has covered only 583km (362 miles) from new. 

The dealer describes it as ‘a strong contender for the ultimate go-anywhere vehicle’ and says the 71-plate example is ‘about as box-fresh as a Lada gets’.

The Luxe trim does without alloy wheels, instead riding on a set of steel wheels that look as though they’ve been transported directly from the 1970s.

This car has, however, been upgraded with a Studio InCar audio system featuring speakers, an amplifier and a subwoofer.

While Luxe typically wasn’t sold as standard with air conditioning, this car does have it. And it even comes with heated front seats, electric windows and electrically adjustable door mirrors.

If you’re interested in the car, you can see the full listing on the Bramley Motor Cars website.