Riley KESTREL

44 registered in New Zealand · 1932–1969 · 66% from Not Known

The Riley KESTREL is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 44 registered across model years 1932 to 1969. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 1.1L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the KESTREL.

Select Year

44 On NZ Roads
1.1L Engine

Fuel Types

Riley KESTREL fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%.

Drivetrain

Engine Size

Riley KESTREL engine sizes: 1.1L 36%, 1.2L 7%, 1.5L 7%, 1.5L 7%, 1.1L 5%.

Imported From

Riley KESTREL imported from: Not Known 66%, United Kingdom 30%, New Zealand 5%.

Colours

RED 8 (18%)
WHITE 7 (16%)
GREEN 7 (16%)
BLUE 6 (14%)
CREAM 5 (11%)
BLACK 4 (9%)
YELLOW 3 (7%)
SILVER 2 (5%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Riley KESTREL regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 10, CHRISTCHURCH: 6, NELSON: 3, SOUTH TARANAKI: 2, DUNEDIN: 2.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Holden logo
Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Riley KESTREL are there in New Zealand?

There are 44 Riley KESTREL vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1932 to 1969.

What body type is the Riley KESTREL?

The Riley KESTREL is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: sports car, convertible. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Riley KESTREL cars imported or NZ-new?

66% of Riley KESTREL vehicles in New Zealand originated from Not Known. A mix of NZ-new and imported vehicles make up the fleet. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.