Figures for new car registrations released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show the UK’s new car market fell 1.9% in October, while demand for electric vehicles hit an another all-time high. The Ford Puma and Kia Sportage continue to deck it out to be the best selling car of 2024, but November saw the MINI Cooper take the bestselling car trophy spot for November.
The SMMT reported 153,610 new car registrations, down from 156,525 registrations for the same period last year. All buyer types contributed to this reduction, with private purchases falling 3.3% and continuing a two-year long decline in market share, now representing a 38.1% market share. Fleet registrations fell for the third time this year, dropping 1.1% but still holding a huge 59.9% market share.
For the third month in a row, electric vehicle registrations are the stand-out figure, growing to a record 25.1% overall market share which translates to a phenomenal 58.8% year-on-year growth for November. The SMMT puts this explosive growth down to ‘heavy manufacturer discounting’ to the tune of £4 billion pounds.
With EV registrations hitting the 22% zero emissions vehicles (ZEV) sales mandate at last, it should be a time for celebration, but this figure is only for November, total EV market share is expected to be 18.7% by the end of 2024. This means fines for manufacturers who don’t meet the mandate, and steep discounts if you’re looking to go electric. It’s not all bad news for manufacturers, the UK is now the the second biggest EV market in Europe.
Elsewhere diesel and petrol both fell year-on-year, down 10.1% and 17.7% respectively. Both hybrid and plug-in hybrids also fell year-on-year, falling 3.6% and 1.2%.
What the industry says about UK car sales
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said: ‘Manufacturers are investing at unprecedented levels to bring new zero emission models to market and spending billions on compelling offers. Such incentives are unsustainable – industry cannot deliver the UK’s world-leading ambitions alone. It is right, therefore, that government urgently reviews the market regulation and the support necessary to drive it, given EV registrations need to rise by over a half next year. Ambitious regulation, a bold plan for incentives and accelerated infrastructure rollout are essential for success, else UK jobs, investment and decarbonisation will be at further risk.’
The top 10 bestselling cars of November 2024
- MINI Cooper – 4,412 sold
- Nissan Qashqai – 3,776 sold
- Tesla Model Y – 3,350 sold
- Kia Sportage – 3,339 sold
- MG HS – 3,181 sold
- Ford Puma – 3,073 sold
- Volvo XC40 – 2,963 sold
- Volkswagen Tiguan – 2,447 sold
- Peugeot 3008 – 2,420 sold
- Hyundai Tucson – 2,382 sold
Top 10 bestselling cars of 2024 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
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
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 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
A value-driven PHEV SUV
It is very spacious and practical, though, and it comes with plenty of standard equipment. Plus, the revised model that MG launched in 2023 even looks quite good. But it’s not especially refined and there are question marks over its reliability.
However, MG has just unveiled the second-generation HS – and it seems to have fixed all the previous car’s foibles. The figures listed here from the SMMT are for the outgoing car, but maybe the new one will appear here soon once its sales get into full swing.
To find out more, read our full MG HS review
Pros
- Spacious and practical cabin
- PHEV model available
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Uncomfortable driving position
- Dated infotainment system
It's like a Golf, only posher
The A3 is based on the same underpinnings as the Golf – and it's a fine car that looks great, drives neatly, comes packed with tech and offers a huge range of engines and trim levels. It’s surprisingly good value, too. Only less than generous passenger space and some cheap interior materials let it down.
To find out more, read our full Audi A3 review
Pros
- Highly efficient engine range
- Excellent technology
- Good to drive
Cons
- Average interior space
- Some iffy interior materials
An accomplsihed EV with an enviable public charging network
It also features rapid acceleration, especially in dual motor configurations, and a generous driving range of up to 319 miles per charge from its battery packs. It's not the most comfortable car in its class, and build quality can be inconsistent, but excellent finance options and popularity as a company car do help sales figures.
To find out more, read our full Tesla Model Y review
Pros
- Good real-world range
- Plenty of space inside
- Tesla Supercharger network is great
Cons
- Inconsistent build quality
- Uncomfortable suspension
A sensible and dependable city car
We'd jazz things up with more exciting colours and specs, but no matter your pick, you'll be getting a bombproof car that sits comfortably in its class as the sensible yet dull option. Think of it as a practical, if slightly shapeless, jumper.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen Polo review
Pros
- Impressive interior technology
- Efficient engine range
- Spacious for a supermini
Cons
- Dull driving experience
- Engines aren't exactly sparkling
Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.
