The way models are recorded on V5C registration certificates is varied and can loosely be used to identify the distribution of vehicles and their configurations. They can also be a way of identifying limited edition models. However, many discrepancies have occurred in the data, such that exclusive lists of vehicles are not always possible to determine. The data presented here is raw, based on the DVLA dataset.
Many Puma station wagons are listed as Double Cabs, 300Tdi ROW Defenders have all sorts of models listed and vehicles that are newly registered (imports or cast from the military) have model descriptions seemingly chosen at random. Since the introduction of the "new" Defender, many of these vehicles are having their models chosen as "DEFENDER AUTO", as this would be the first option alphabetically in the up-to-date DVLA system. The models shown as "DISCOVERY" or "FREELANDER" have been verified as being Defenders that are mistakenly recorded on the V5C.
Quoting directly from the DVLA guidance on their vehicle statistics.
"As described in the Source section of this note, the vast majority of new vehicles are registered through the DVLA’s AFRL system which takes the data directly from manufacturers. The DVLA do not change this information, so any mistakes in the final data are usually as a result of errors make by the manufacturer. The remaining vehicles are registered by individuals or manufacturers with the DVLA using V55 forms. Any mistakes in the final data for these vehicles are as a result of errors made by either the individual completing the form or the DVLA operator when keying the information into the system
"No model codes exist for imported vehicles of models which have not been on general sale in the UK (or are sold in the UK under a different make or model name). In these cases the DVLA operator will either try to find the nearest, sensible, match to the name as written on the V55 form, or will record the vehicle in the ‘model missing’ box. The former is often done when keepers want something to appear on the V5 document for insurance purposes. The nearest match would usually be a shorter, more generic term for the vehicle.
"The DVLA estimate that every variable is correct for roughly 89% of the registered vehicles. The remaining 11% of vehicles will have an error in at least one of the fields