March 2025 has been a home run for new car registrations, growing a strong 12.4% year-on-year and recording the healthiest registration figures since March of 2019. The data, revealed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), showed 357,103 new registrations for 2025, of which 19.4% were electric. The Ford Puma rocketed up the ranks to become the bestselling car of both March and the year so far.
Petrol remains the largest fuel type with 49.5% market share for March 2025, although this has fallen 0.4% year-on-year as more buyers embrace electrification. Electric vehicles saw the largest upswing, growing 43.2% to 69,313 new EV registrations. The SMMT declared March the largest month ever for registrations of electric cars but that translated to an overall marketshare of 19.4%, far short of the 28% needed to meet 2025’s ZEV Mandate.
Hybrid and plug-in hybrids also saw market share grow, by 27.7% and 37.9% respectively. Diesel was the only fuel type that saw a decline, shrinking 10.1% year-on-year. Fleet sales rose 11.5% to 202,172 and private buyers grew a healthy 14.5% to 147,041.
March is traditionally a strong month for new car registrations with the arrival of a new plate – 25 for March 2025. The SMMT also put the tax hikes to vehicle excise duty (VED) that arrived in April 2025 as a reason for such strong numbers for April. From April 2024, EVs would be liable to also pay the Expensive Vehicle Supplement, a tax that’ll cost the owner an extra £2,125 by the time the car turns six years old.
What the industry says about UK car sales
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said: ‘A welcome return to growth, and substantial growth at that, is a fillip for the industry. Moreover, with March being the best month ever for electric car registrations, there is reason for optimism. Manufacturers remain committed to the market decarbonisation the country and the environment demands, but we need sustained growth, not a short-term bubble driven by unsustainable manufacturer discounting and drivers rushing to beat a tax hike. Without substantive government support for consumers, the current regulatory regime is undeliverable. A rapid response to the government consultation is therefore needed – one that adds flexibilities that reflect the natural level of demand and supports the industry to deliver growth in the face of a tough set of global challenges.’
The top 10 bestselling cars of March 2025
- Ford Puma – 11,132 sold
- Kia Sportage – 7,874 sold
- Vauxhall Corsa – 6,851 sold
- Nissan Qashqai – 6,844 sold
- Nissan Juke – 6,471 sold
- Volkswagen Golf – 6,447 sold
- MG HS – 6,337 sold
- Ford Kuga – 5,949 sold
- MG ZS – 5,907 sold
- Volkswagen Tiguan – 5,464 sold
Top 10 bestselling cars of 2025 year-to-date
It's the nation's favourite for a reason
It’s also the best-driving SUV in its class, running rings around the likes of the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke. It captures a lot of the same handling magic found in the old Fiesta, with which it shares its underpinnings – and, now that the Fiesta’s dead, this is the only way to experience that magic. This year's facelift hasn't been as promising as we'd hoped, but the fundamentals are still there.
To find out more, read our full Ford Puma review
Pros
- It’s the best-driving family SUV
- Fun and frugal petrol engines
- Huge boot thanks to Ford’s Megabox
Cons
- Rear legroom is a little tight
- Dashboard is rather bland
There’s a Sportage to suit almost everyone
But we reckon the Sportage is worth spending the cash on. It has a practical interior, plenty of standard equipment, a great infotainment package and it comes with Kia’s brilliant seven-year warranty. The only thing that lets it down is it’s driving experience. Its steering is a little too light for our liking and its handling isn’t anywhere near as fun as the Ford Kuga’s. We can’t fault it otherwise, though.
To find out more, read our full Kia Sportage review
Pros
- Intuitive infotainment screen
- Great standard equipment
- Spacious and practical cabin
Cons
- Overly light steering system
- Pricey – especially the PHEV model
The car that kicked off the SUV craze
Buyers have a choice of two petrol engines. There’s a 1.3-litre mild-hybrid available with two power outputs, and a 1.5-litre full hybrid. We recommend opting for the latter – with more power and greater efficiency it’s better to live with day-to-day. The facelifted model is here, too, so watch out for deals on the outgoing car.
To find out more, read our full Nissan Qashqai review
Pros
- High-quality interior
- Lots of tech that works well
- Incredibly refined E-Power hybrid
Cons
- No PHEV or performance version
- No load-through hatch on rear bench
Popular supermini still makes for a solid pick
Vauxhall has worked wonders getting price parity between the petrol and electric version. Both are good value for money too, with strong leasing and financing deals in its corner. It's a sensible pick and will serve as a very competent car for most duties, but there are better cars out there.
To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Corsa review
Pros
- Impressive fuel economy
- Spacious in the front
- Lots of standard equipment
Cons
- Interior feels a little low-rent
- Lack of cabin storage space
The original family hatch just got better
Volkswagen has given the updated Golf a brand-new infotainment system, which is far nicer to look at and much easier to use. Build quality has improved, too – and the PHEV models now have twice as much electric range thanks to some new battery technology. It doesn’t drive any differently to the previous model, but that’s not such a bad thing because it always was comfortable on the motorway and engaging in the corners.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen Golf review
Pros
- New infotainment is one of the best on sale
- Loads of engines, including new PHEV systems
- Build quality is noticeably better than before
Cons
- Not as engaging to drive as the Focus
- Revised Skoda Octavia offers better value
It isn't our favourite, but UK drivers love it
The Juke trails its larger sibling, the Qashqai, in the sales charts, but the numbers are surprisingly close. Perhaps that’s indicative of UK buyers downsizing their cars.
To find out more, read our full Nissan Juke review
Pros
- User-friendly interior
- Clear infotainment system
- Distinctive styling
Cons
- Fidgety ride
- Engines need more pep
A value-driven SUV
Refinement is far better than before. The HS's golden ticket is no longer its low price and generous technology; it now features a pleasant interior, better road manners and nice equipment levels, too. The fact it's still a bargain only helps its case.
To find out more, read our full MG HS review
Pros
- Spacious and practical cabin
- Impressive plug-in hybrid
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Petrol engine lacks refinement
- Annoying safety tech
Solid, dependable family SUV
The hallmarks of a good Volkswagen are all there, too; the interior is comfortable and well put together. It's also lovely and spacious inside, with a boot size perfect for family duties. However, we do question the over-reliance on touchscreens.
To find out more read our full Volkswagen Tiguan review
Pros
- Offers buyers lots of choice
- Efficient, engaging engines
- Plenty of space inside
Cons
- Over-reliance on touchscreen
- Ride comfort can be firm
Cheap small SUV ticks a lot of boxes
The hybrid system isn't the most refined, and the interior feels a little bargain basement. The low speed ride isn't the best either and there's a general lack of polish. But they're so affordable and so serviceable for family life that it's hard to ignore.
To find out more read our full MG ZS review
Pros
- Undercuts rivals on price
- Frugal to run
- Spacious interior
Cons
- No steering wheel reach adjustment
- Firm suspension
It gets all the fundamentals bang on
We’re particularly fond of the Tucson’s interior. It’s been nailed together incredibly well and has a great infotainment system that’s easy to use on the move. It’s also more than spacious enough for four passengers and it has a simply enormous 620-litre boot.
To find out more, read our full Hyundai Tucson review
Pros
- Comfortable, roomy interior
- User-friendly infotainment
- Range of hybrid option
Cons
- No diesel for long-distance drivers
- Not that fun to drive
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