"The more things change, the more they stay that same", or so they say. Well, that's certainly true of the UK's new car market right now.
There's undoubtedly big change afoot, and we're not just talking about the move from combustion power towards electric cars.
In previous years, this list of the UK's best-selling cars was full of household names, brands and models that had been burned into the public consciousness over decades. Now, however, it features a couple of brands from China that, until fairly recently, nobody in the UK had ever heard of, in the form of Jaecoo and BYD. As we'll discover, this in itself indicates a value-focused shift in modern car-buying behaviour.
And of course, everything stays the same because the cars at the very top of this list are the same ones that have been there for several years. The Ford Puma and Kia Sportage continue to do battle for top spot, with Ford's dinky SUV currently coming out on top.
The UK's new car registrations are logged and collated on a monthly basis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), and the article below documents the best-performing models so far in 2026. Scroll down the page for more details about each model.
| Vehicle | Registrations 2026 | Read more | Search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Puma | 6,935 | Ford Puma Review | Ford Puma for sale |
| Kia Sportage | 6,880 | Kia Sportage Mk5 Review | Kia Sportage for sale |
| Jaecoo 7 | 5,505 | Jaecoo 7 Review | Jaecoo 7 for sale |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 4,237 | Vauxhall Corsa Review | Vauxhall Corsa for sale |
| Nissan Qashqai | 4,135 | Nissan Qashqai Review | Nissan Qashqai for sale |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 3,804 | Volkswagen Tiguan Review | Volkswagen Tiguan for sale |
| MINI Cooper | 3,593 | MINI Cooper Review | MINI Cooper for sale |
| Nissan Juke | 3,590 | Nissan Juke Review | Nissan Juke for sale |
| BYD Seal U | 3,358 | BYD Seal U Review | BYD Seal U for sale |
| Volkswagen Golf | 3,286 | Volkswagen Golf Review | Volkswagen Golf for sale |
The 10 Bestselling New Cars in 2026
- 1. Ford Puma
- 2. Kia Sportage
- 3. Jaecoo 7
- 4. Vauxhall Corsa
- 5. Nissan Qashqai
- 6. Volkswagen Tiguan
- 7. MINI Cooper
- 8. Nissan Juke
- 9. BYD Seal U
- 10. Volkswagen Golf
- The new car market so far in 2026
- Best-selling used cars of 2025
- The Used Car Market in 2025
1. Ford Puma
Registrations in 2026: 6,935
Since the untimely demise of the company's previous best-seller, the Ford Fiesta supermini, the Ford Puma ably taken on the mantle as the company's best-selling model. In 2023, 2024 and 2025, it was also the best-selling car in the entire UK, and that trend continues so far in 2026. Buyers clearly value its blend of involving driving dynamics, a high driving position, good fuel economy from its mild-hybrid engines, and a clever boot with an extra waterproof compartment - the Megabox - beneath the floor, which gives it a level of practicality you wouldn’t expect from a small car. There’s now a zero-emissions electric version, too, which has helped further cement the Puma’s position at the top of the automotive sales charts.
Ford Puma Review
2. Kia Sportage
Registrations in 2026: 6,880
The Sportage finished fourth on the list of best-sellers in 2023, and climbed up to second place in 2024 and 2025. And so far in 2026, it's maintaining its position in P2. And its popularity is no surprise. The Sportage comes with extrovert styling and the option of plug-in- or full hybrid variants, on top of more conventional petrol engines. Inside, the Sportage is smart, with glossy materials, clever design touches and a slick infotainment system. As you’d expect, there’s plenty of space and practicality on offer, too.
Kia Sportage Mk5 Review
3. Jaecoo 7
Registrations in 2026: 5,505
Jaecoo may not be the most familiar name in UK motoring (although it is one of the strangest: it's a contraction of 'jaeger', the German word for 'hunter', and the English word 'cool'), but with sales figures like these, it won't be long before it's a name on everyone's lips. This Chinese brand has only been operating in the UK since January of 2025, and yet it already finds itself at the sharp end of this list with the Jaecoo 7, a mid-size family SUV that has more than a whiff of Range Rover Evoque about it. We'll be honest, we have some big reservations about it - namely the way it drives, some iffy ergonomics and some oversensitive diver assistance systems - but buyers clearly care more about its striking looks, swanky interior, generous equipment and comparatively low price.
Jaecoo 7 Review
4. Vauxhall Corsa
Registrations in 2026: 4,237
The Vauxhall Corsa’s sales performance has been rather up-and-down in recent years, but it usually features somewhere on this list. And so far in 2026, it currently sits around the middle of the order, with a very creditable fourth-place position. This perennial favourite is one of the most recognisable names in motoring, and the latest incarnation of the Corsa combines good looks, impressive quality and strong value for money.
Vauxhall Corsa Review
5. Nissan Qashqai
Registrations in 2026: 4,135
The Qashqai topped the best-sellers list outright in 2022. It then earned a second-place finish in 2023, and then third-place finishes in 2024 and 2025, so it has maintained an impressively strong performance over a number of years. Although it's currently a little behind its own curve in 2026, its current-fifth-place position is still no disgrace. And that prolonged success is no surprise; the Qashqai is just the right size to make it perfect for most British families, and its wide range of engines and trims ensures broad appeal.
Nissan Qashqai Review
6. Volkswagen Tiguan
Registrations in 2026: 3,804
The Tiguan happens to be Volkswagen's biggest-selling car worldwide, but in previous years, it has played second-fiddle to the Golf in the affections of the UK's car-buyers. So far in 2026, though, that trend has been reversed, with the Tiguan outgunning the Golf on the best-sellers list. The latest version of the Tiguan was released in 2024, bringing the same mix of understated style, high quality and family-friendly practicality that had made previous incarnations of the Tiguan so popular. This time, though, more tech and luxury equipment has been added, bringing the car bang up to date. And that's obviously being appreciated by buyers.
Volkswagen Tiguan Review
7. MINI Cooper
Registrations in 2026: 3,593
MINI has been a British institution since the 1950s, and although there's a distinct Germanic whiff about its execution these days, that's evidently done nothing to dampen its appeal with British car buyers. The latest MINI has the brand's trademark retro style in abundance, while the fun, seat-of-the-pants driving experience also remains. Quality is as exemplary as ever, too, and although practicality is limited and prices are relatively high, this car just goes to prove that people are prepared to spend big money on a small car if it's good enough.
MINI Cooper Review
8. Nissan Juke
Registrations in 2026: 3,590
The original Nissan Juke was one of the very first supermini-based crossovers, and as such, it set the tone for what has become a hugely popular segment of the market. The latest model moves the game on in every area. Of particular note is that it maintains the Juke's distinctive styling while adding more powertrain options, including a self-charging hybrid.
Nissan Juke Review
9. BYD Seal U
Registrations in 2026: 3,358
BYD - which stands for 'Build Your Dreams' - is another Chinese firm that's made some serious strides since launching in the UK not too long ago. Most of its cars are electric, but it's the snappily named Seal U DM-i plug-in hybrid SUV that's made the biggest splash (geddit?!) on these shores. It has a roomy interior that's nicely trimmed and stuffed with equipment, while its PHEV powertrain has an impressive electric-only range of up to 77 miles. It's very keenly, priced, too, all of which is evidently enough to make a lot of UK buyers overlook its relatively small boot, fiddly infotainment system and lacklustre road manners.
BYD Seal U Review
10. Volkswagen Golf
Registrations in 2026: 3,286
The Volkswagen Golf has been plying its trade for many decades now, and for a good proportion of that time, it's featured somewhere in the list of the UK's top 10 best-sellers. The latest Mk8 version arrived in 2020, and was revised in 2024 to keep it competitive with newer rivals. It provides the same enjoyable-but-sensible driving experience that the Golf always has, along with competitive practicality, exemplary quality and a fair amount of technology.
Volkswagen Golf Review
The new car market so far in 2026
According to monthly sales figures from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), a total of 234,227 new cars have been registered so far in 2026, which is up 4.8% on 2025’s total of 223,399.
Sales of diesel cars have continued to dwindle, those numbers being 7.2% down on 2025, but other types of car have been on the rise. Petrol sales are up 0.7% on last year, and it remains the dominant fuel type in 2026 with 47.3% of the market, followed by battery electric cars with 22.0% of the market. Self-charging hybrids come next with 13.3%. Plug-in hybrids (or PHEVs) follow with 12.4% of the market, with diesel bringing up the rear with 5.1%.
Fleet cars make up the majority of new car registrations in the UK with 60.5% of the market so far in 2026, while only 37.4% of the UK’s new cars are bought privately.
In terms of how the various manufacturers are doing so far in 2026, here are the top 10 car-makers in terms of overall sales for the year.
- Volkswagen - 19,643
- Kia - 14,480
- Ford - 13,596
- BMW - 12,722
- Audi - 12,056
- Vauxhall - 11,733
- Mercedes-Benz - 11,325
- Skoda - 10,292
- Peugeot - 10,289
- Hyundai - 9,554
Best-selling used cars of 2025
The SMMT also publishes sales figures for used cars in the UK, but because these take far longer to collate than new-car figures, these are only published quarterly. And, since we're still only in March, no data for 2026 is available yet. We'll update this article as soon as that situation changes, but for now, here's a picture of the used car market last year in 2025. We list the top 10 best-selling models on the used car market according to the most recent data available, and provide an outline of the sector as a whole.
1. Ford Fiesta
Used sales in 2025: 303,090
The Ford Fiesta is no longer available as a new car purchase, but it’s still brilliant, and that’s only helping to fuel its runaway success as a used car. It’s top of the used-car pile by an absolute mile. The sheer affordability of purchase and running costs of the car help greatly, as does the huge supply of Fiestas on the used market. However, this car has far more going for it than merely being cheap and plentiful. It's also great to drive, reasonably roomy, and comfortable enough for longer journeys.
Ford Fiesta Review
Ford Fiesta For Sale
2. Vauxhall Corsa
Used sales in 2025: 247,853
The Fiesta's arch rival, the Vauxhall Corsa, was the second bestselling used car in the UK in 2025. It might lag behind the Ford for ride comfort and sporty handling, but the little Vauxhall still represents great value, and because there are so many on the used market you can afford to be picky and get exactly the trim, spec and mileage you're after.
Vauxhall Corsa Review
Vauxhall Corsa For Sale
3. Volkswagen Golf
Used sales in 2025: 226,082
It's no surprise that the best-selling used cars in the UK all have long running nameplates, and the Volkswagen Golf is no exception. First launched in 1974, the Golf is a very familiar part of the automotive landscape, and is highly regarded for very good reason: it's a great all-rounder. That's particularly the case if you're a used car buyer looking at the Mk7 generation of Golf (pictured above), which some (us included) argue is an even better car than its Mk8 successor.
Volkswagen Golf Review
Volkswagen Golf For Sale
4. Ford Focus
Used sales in 2025: 218,962
The Ford Focus is a great choice for those who want a used family car that can do all the practical stuff, while also being engaging and entertaining to drive. A well-cared-for Mk1 version is well on its way to future classic status by now, while later models add more modern features and increased comfort.
Ford Focus Review
Ford Focus For Sale
5. BMW 3 Series
Used sales in 2025: 157,343
The 3 Series is the poshest model in this list of used cars, but it's not only its upmarket image that makes it popular with buyers. With the 3 Series, BMW has also consistently built one of the best all-rounders on the market. Expect engines that blend good fuel economy with great performance, a chassis that exhibits a fine balance between ride comfort and handling, and an interior that fully lives up to the promise of the premium badge.
BMW 3 Series Review
BMW 3 Series For Sale
6. MINI
Used sales in 2025: 154,527
The MINI has always been a hugely likeable small car. For that, thank its neat styling, its attractive, high-quality interior, and its great driving experience. MINI describes its car as having 'go-kart handling', and while that's a bit of a stretch, it is true to say that all models feel distinctly alert and agile to drive. No wonder it’s so popular with used car buyers.
MINI Review
MINI For Sale
7. Volkswagen Polo
Used sales in 2025: 153,583
As with so many brands these days, VW has spent the past few years embracing the trend for building crossovers and SUVs. However, as far as its used cars go, it is still the more affordable hatchbacks that are most in demand. The Polo is one such car, and offers a slightly more upmarket take on the supermini formula than a Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa of the same vintage. Expect a solidly built cabin, frugal engines, and a focus on comfort over fun.
Volkswagen Polo Review
Volkswagen Polo For Sale
8. Vauxhall Astra
Used sales in 2025: 149,410
Just as the Corsa trails the Fiesta in the supermini class, so the Astra lags behind the Focus when it comes to sales of used family cars. There's plenty to like about the Astra, however, particularly in more recent versions, which have added more interior space and strong engines to what has always been a good-value package.
Vauxhall Astra Review
Vauxhall Astra For Sale
9. Nissan Qashqai
Used sales in 2025: 145,207
The Qashqai is not only one of the best-selling new cars in the UK, but older models are hugely popular, too. First launched in 2007, the Qashqai was a pioneer in the crossover class, marrying the looks of an SUV with the running costs of a family hatchback. Now in its third generation, the Qashqai continues to offer the used car buyer a great-value alternative to a traditional family car.
Nissan Qashqai Review
Nissan Qashqai For Sale
10. Audi A3
Used sales in 2025: 125,752
Buyers looking for a quality family hatchback seem to love the Audi A3. And can you blame them? Its winning blend of quality, fine driving manners and smart styling make it incredibly desirable. What’s more, used values aren’t quite as steep as you might expect relative to other cars of the same size and performance.
Audi A3 Review
Audi A3 For Sale
The Used Car Market in 2025
The used car market in 2025 improved on its 2024 performance. In Q1, used car sales, as recorded by the SMMT, were up 2.7% compared with the previous year, followed by another 1.7% gain in Q2. This was followed by a 2.8% rise in Q3, and then another rise of 1.3% in Q4. In raw numbers, that means there were 2,020,990 used car sales in Q1, 1,996,116 in Q2, 2,021,265 in Q3, and 1,769,501 in Q4. All in all, the used car market in 2025 was up 2.2% compared to 2024: a total of 7,807,872 used cars were sold in 2025, compared to 7,643,180 sold in 2024.