"The more things change, the more they stay the 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 made up exclusively of household names, brands and models that had been burned into the public consciousness over decades. Now, however, it features a brand from China that, until fairly recently, nobody in the UK had ever heard of, in the form of Jaecoo. And not only does it feature, but its best-selling model, the Jaecoo 7, is currently lying in second place overall. As we'll discover, this in itself indicates a vast value-focused shift in modern car-buying behaviour.
And of course, everything stays the same because the other cars at the 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 with the Jaecoo 7 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 |
42,926 |
Ford Puma Review
|
Ford Puma for sale
|
| Jaecoo 7 |
39,474 |
Jaecoo 7 Review
|
Jaecoo 7 for sale
|
| Kia Sportage |
37,085 |
Kia Sportage Review
|
Kia Sportage for sale
|
| Nissan Qashqai |
33,082 |
Nissan Qashqai Review
|
Nissan Qashqai for sale
|
| Vauxhall Corsa |
27,390 |
Vauxhall Corsa Review
|
Vauxhall Corsa for sale
|
| Volkswagen Golf |
26,702 |
Volkswagen Golf Review
|
Volkswagen Golf for sale
|
| MG HS |
26,653 |
MG HS Review
|
MG HS for sale
|
| MINI Cooper |
23,724 |
MINI Cooper Review
|
MINI Cooper for sale
|
| Tesla Model 3 |
23,704 |
Tesla Model 3 Review
|
Tesla Model 3 for sale
|
| Volvo XC40 |
23,665 |
Volvo XC40 Review
|
Volvo XC40 for sale
|
The 10 Bestselling New Cars in 2026
1. Ford Puma
Registrations in 2026: 42,926
Since the untimely demise of the company's previous best-seller, the Ford Fiesta supermini, the Ford Puma has 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, in the form of the Puma Gen-E, which has helped further cement the Puma’s position at the top of the automotive sales charts.
Ford Puma Review
2. Jaecoo 7
Registrations in 2026: 39,474
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 business 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 driver-assistance systems - but buyers clearly care more about its striking looks, swanky interior, generous equipment and comparatively low price.
Jaecoo 7 Review
3. Kia Sportage
Registrations in 2026: 37,085
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 holding firm 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
4. Nissan Qashqai
Registrations in 2026: 33,082
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 fourth-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
5. Vauxhall Corsa
Registrations in 2026: 27,390
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 fifth-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
6. Volkswagen Golf
Registrations in 2026: 26,702
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. MG HS
Registrations in 2026: 26,653
The HS's inclusion on this list is proof - if it were needed - that MG is absolutely smashing it right now. After the old British firm found itself in severe financial schtuck in the early noughties and was thankfully saved by Chinese investment, the brand has been gradually been building itself back up, and it's clearly a major player once more. And the HS is a great example of the brand's appeal. This practical family SUV represents a larger-than-average product for a smaller-than-average price, and it also comes with extremely generous equipment levels and a long warranty. This impressive value for money is complemented by credible interior quality and a convincing driving experience.
MG HS Review
8. MINI Cooper
Registrations in 2026: 23,724
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
9. Tesla Model 3
Registrations in 2026: 23,704
Tesla’s electric executive saloon has been getting outsold by its SUV stablemate, the Model Y, in recent years, but it looks like the Model 3 is making a bit of a comeback. It’s been with us in the UK since 2018, but it’s undergone so many incremental changes over the years that it bears very little resemblance to the original other than its basic shape and massive touchscreen. Four versions are currently available, with ranges that, well, range anywhere between 332 miles and 466 miles, and 0-60mph acceleration figures that range from 6.2 seconds right down to 2.9 seconds.
Tesla Model 3 Review
10. Volvo XC40
Registrations in 2026: 23,665
The Volvo XC40 is getting rather long in the tooth now, having been originally introduced to the UK market way back in 2018. However, that plainly doesn't matter to the UK's new car buyers, who have snaffled up enough of the things to have the car featuring in 9th place on our list. And you can understand why. Despite its age, Volvo's small SUV still looks great and is comfortable and civilised to drive. It still feels sophisticated inside, too, with pleasant materials and cool Scandi design. Practicality is sufficient for a small family, and there are plenty of toys on board.
Volvo XC40 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 1,739,271 new cars have been registered so far in 2026, which is up 10.2% on 2025’s year-to-date total of 1,578,172.
Sales of diesel cars have continued to dwindle, those numbers being 7.1% down on 2025, but most other types of car have been on the rise. Petrol sales aren't, being down 3.8% on last year, but it remains the dominant fuel type in 2026 with 41.5% of the market, followed by battery electric cars with 26.2% of the market.Plug-in hybrids (or PHEVs) come next with 14.1% of the market, with Self-charging hybrids following close behind with 13.8%. Diesel brings up the rear with 4.5%.
Fleet cars make up the majority of new car registrations in the UK with 57.5% of the market so far in 2026, while only 40.0% 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 - 137,802
- Kia - 95,249
- BMW - 91,691
- Audi - 88,626
- Ford - 82,967
- MG - 78,930
- Mercedes-Benz - 76,867
- Skoda - 71,513
- Vauxhall - 70,491
- Toyota - 70,301
Best-selling used cars so far in 2026
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, so far, only Q1 and Q2 figures for 2026 have been published. We'll update this article as soon as that situation changes, but for now, here's a picture of how the used car market fared in the first part of 2026. 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 so far in 2026: 150,315
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 so far in 2026: 121,448
The Fiesta's arch rival, the Vauxhall Corsa, is the second bestselling used car in the UK so far in 2026. 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 so far in 2026: 112,022
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 so far in 2026: 106,945
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. Nissan Qashqai
Used sales so far in 2026: 80,547
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
6. Volkswagen Polo
Used sales so far in 2026: 78,131
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 it 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
7. MINI
Used sales so far in 2026: 76,132
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
8. BMW 3 Series
Used sales so far in 2026: 75,725
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
9. Vauxhall Astra
Used sales so far in 2026: 69,275
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
10. Audi A3
Used sales so far in 2026: 64,889
Buyers looking for a quality family hatchback seem to love the Audi A3. And can you blame them? Its winning blend of excellent quality, fine driving manners and smart styling make it incredibly desirable. What’s more, used prices 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 2026
The used car market so far in 2026 is ever-so-slightly up on its year-to date performance in 2025. In Q1 and Q2 of 2026, used car sales, as recorded by the SMMT, were up 0.2% compared with the previous year. In raw numbers, that means there have been 4,025,550 used car sales so far in 2026, compared to 4,017,106 sales during the same period of 2025.
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