Last year in 2024, the Ford Puma was the UK's best-selling car, closely followed by the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai. And guess what? So far, 2025 is shaping up to be exactly the same. Ford's dinky SUV is leading the way among the top-selling cars in the UK once again, closely followed by its chunkier challengers from Japan and Korea.
The table below is a summary of year-to-date new car registrations in the UK. Scroll down the page for more details about each model.
| Vehicle | Registrations 2025 | Read more | Search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Puma | 50,808 | Ford Puma review | Ford Puma for sale |
| Kia Sportage | 45,814 | Kia Sportage review | Kia Sportage for sale |
| Nissan Qashqai | 38,254 | Nissan Qashqai review | Nissan Qashqai for sale |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 34,241 | Vauxhall Corsa review | Vauxhall Corsa for sale |
| Nissan Juke | 32,447 | Nissan Juke review | Nissan Juke for sale |
| Volkswagen Golf | 30,526 | Volkswagen Golf review | Volkswagen Golf for sale |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 27,866 | Volkswagen Tiguan review | Volkswagen Tiguan for sale |
| MG HS | 27,388 | MG HS review | MG HS for sale |
| Hyundai Tucson | 27,261 | Hyundai Tucson review | Hyundai Tucson for sale |
| Volvo XC40 | 27,085 | Volvo XC40 review | Volvo XC40 for sale |
The 10 Bestselling New Cars in 2025
- 1. Ford Puma
- 2. Kia Sportage
- 3. Nissan Qashqai
- 4. Vauxhall Corsa
- 5. Nissan Juke
- 6. Volkswagen Golf
- 7. Volkswagen Tiguan
- 8. MG HS
- 9. Hyundai Tucson
- 10. Volvo XC40
- The new car market so far in 2025
- Best-selling used cars of 2025
- The Used Car Market so far in 2025
1. Ford Puma
Registrations in 2025: 50,808
The Puma is Ford's de rigueur small SUV, and since the untimely demise of the company's previous best-seller, the Ford Fiesta supermini, it's ably taken on the mantle as the company's most popular model, outgunning traditionally popular family car stablemates such as the Ford Focus hatchback and the Ford Kuga SUV. 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 should help further cement the Puma’s position at the top of the automotive sales charts.
Ford Puma Review
2. Kia Sportage
Registrations in 2025: 45,814
The Sportage finished fourth on the list of best-sellers in 2023, and climbed up to second place in 2024, a place it's currently maintaining so far in 2025. And it's no wonder. It 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, too, 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. Nissan Qashqai
Registrations in 2025: 38,254
The Qashqai topped the best-sellers list outright in 2022, and with second-place and third-place finishes in 2023 and 2024, respectively, it has maintained an impressively strong performance over a number of years. And that’s continuing so far in 2025, because it’s currently tracking third in the list of best-sellers. And that 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
4. Vauxhall Corsa
Registrations in 2025: 34,241
The Vauxhall Corsa’s sales performance has been rather up-and-down in recent years, but it usually features somewhere on this list, and at the moment, it’s very much up, currently placing in fourth. 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 Juke
Registrations in 2025: 32,447
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
6. Volkswagen Golf
Registrations in 2025: 30,526
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
7. Volkswagen Tiguan
Registrations in 2025: 27,866
The Tiguan happens to be Volkswagen's biggest-selling car worldwide, but although the Golf still edges it in the affections of British car buyers, there's still more than enough love for the car on these shores to earn it a place on the top ten best-sellers list. The latest version 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 was added, bringing the car bang up to date. And that's obviously being appreciated by buyers.
Volkswagen Tiguan Review
8. MG HS
Registrations in 2025: 27,388
MG's place on this list provides proof - if it were needed - that the resurgent brand is completely smashing it right now. The HS, its largest family SUV, delivers bags of space and practicality, along with interior quality that might well surprise you. There's a plug-in hybrid version on offer for those who aren't quite ready to take the plunge on a full EV, and with aggressive prices and a heaving list of standard luxury and safety equipment, the HS is sensational value for money.
MG HS Review
9. Hyundai Tucson
Registrations in 2025: 27,261
The Hyundai Tucson shares a great deal with the Kia Sportage that sits further up this list, and although it evidently doesn't hold quite the same place in British car-buyers' affections, the Tucson still has enough love for a place on our list. If anything, the Tucson's styling is even more extrovert than its Korean cousin's, and it's just as family-friendly, with lots of passenger space and a big boot. The infotainment system is one of the best in the business, while the quality and equipment provision are both exemplary.
Hyundai Tucson Review
10. Volvo XC40
Registrations in 2025: 27,085
The Volvo XC40 is the oldest car on this list, having originally been released in 2018, but despite the fact that it's getting a bit long-in-the-tooth, it's evidently still a big hit with British car buyers. Smart and sophisticated styling is a large part of its appeal, as is a spacious, high-quality interior that's thoughtfully designed and packed with standard luxury equipment. It's a pleasant car to drive, too, even though the engine range has been pared right back to just a couple of petrol mild hybrid options these days.
Volvo XC40 Review
The new car market so far in 2025
According to monthly year-to-date figures from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), a total of 1,874,271 new cars have been registered so far in 2025, which is up 3.4% on 2024’s equivalent figure of 1,811,992.
Sales of diesel cars continue to dwindle, those numbers being -15.8% down on 2024, but most other types of car are on the rise. Petrol isn't (down 8.3%), but it remains the dominant fuel type with 47.0% of the market, followed by battery electric cars with 22.7% of the market. Self-charging hybrids come next with 14.0%. Plug-in hybrids (or PHEVs) follow with 11.1% of the market, with diesel bringing up the rear with 5.2%.
Fleet cars made up the majority of new car registrations in the UK with 58.9% of the market so far in 2025, and only 38.9% of the UK’s new cars were bought privately.
In terms of how the various manufacturers are doing so far in 2025, here are the top 10 car-makers in terms of overall sales for the year.
- Volkswagen - 167,011
- BMW - 114,035
- Ford - 109,304
- Kia - 109,042
- Audi - 102,856
- Hyundai - 87,570
- Toyota - 84,873
- Mercedes-Benz - 84,306
- Nissan - 84,224
- Peugeot - 79,984
Best-selling used cars of 2025
The SMMT also publishes quarterly sales figures for used cars in the UK. Here are the top 10 best-selling models on the used car market so far this year.
1. Ford Fiesta
Used sales in 2025: 234,165
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: 192,499
The Fiesta's arch rival, the Vauxhall Corsa, is the second bestselling used car in the UK so far this year. 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: 174,636
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: 169,177
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: 122,577
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: 122,441
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: 117,527
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: 116,376
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: 111,458
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
Audi A3
Used sales in 2025: 97,367
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 so far in 2025?
The used car market in 2025 has so far 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, and a 2.8% in Q3. In raw numbers, that means there were 2,020,990 used car sales in Q1, 1,996,116 in Q2, and 2,021,265 in Q3. All in all, the used car market in 2025 is up 2.4% year-to-date on 2024, with 6,038,371 used cars sold so far in 2025, compared to 5,897,129 sold to this point last year.