In 2022, around **** million motor vehicles were sold in the United Kingdom, down from its peak at around *** million units in 2016. This figure represents a decrease of *** percent year-on-year. Sales recovery does not match 2019 levels In 2022, the UK overtook France as the second-largest car market in Europe, a position it had lost since 2019. New passenger car registrations had grown in the country in 2023, up to the highest volume recorded since their dramatic drop in 2020. However, amid Brexit, the automotive semiconductor shortage, raw material price inflation, and an overall cost of living crisis, the UK's automotive industry has faced various challenges and has yet to reach its pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. The impact of inflation on car purchases The United Kingdom recorded its highest inflation rate since the 1990s in 2022, a situation which marginally improved in 2023. New cars were particularly impacted by the inflation, with their consumer price index being at its highest in the past 15 years in 2023. Despite the inflating prices, car purchasing intentions remained relatively stable based on surveys ending in September 2023 and September 2024, with around **** of UK residents reporting their intention of buying a car in the 12 months following the survey. This is, however, a positive development compared to purchase intentions reported in that same survey ending in September 2022.

Motorists in the United Kingdom bought some 9.14 million cars in 2024, over 7.2 million of which were used cars. The previous year, the average household expenditure on used cars and vans in the UK was around 20.2 British pounds per week.

Key information about United Kingdom Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars

• United Kingdom Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars was reported at 1,903,054.000 Unit in Dec 2023.
• This records an increase from the previous number of 1,614,063.000 Unit for Dec 2022.
• UK Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars data is updated yearly, averaging 2,264,737.000 Unit from Dec 2005 to 2023, with 19 observations.
• The data reached an all-time high of 2,692,786.000 Unit in 2016 and a record low of 1,614,063.000 Unit in 2022.
• UK Motor Vehicle Sales: Passenger Cars data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Automobile Sector – Table RA.OICA.MVS: Motor Vehicle Sales: by Country and Type: Passenger Car (PC).

Key information about United Kingdom Motor Vehicles Sales Growth

• United Kingdom Motor Vehicles Sales grew 16.5 % in Dec 2023, compared with a decrease of 5.1 % in the previous year.
• UK Motor Vehicles Sales Growth rate is updated yearly, available from Dec 2006 to Dec 2023, with an average growth rate of 1.1 %.
• The data reached an all-time high of 16.5 % in Dec 2023 and a record low of -28.2 % in Dec 2020.
• Car Sales of UK recorded 2,263,666.0 units in Dec 2023.

Concerning the **** selected segments, the segment Ford has the largest number of vehicle sales with ******* vehicles. Contrastingly, Kia is ranked last, with ****** vehicles. Their difference, compared to Ford, lies at ******* vehicles. Find more statistics on other topics: a comparison of the number of vehicle sales by make in Estonia and a comparison of the number of vehicle sales by make in Lithuania. The Statista Market Insights cover a broad range of additional markets.

Concerning the *** selected segments, the segment SUVs has the largest number of vehicle sales by make with ******* vehicles. Contrastingly, Luxury Cars is ranked last, with ***** vehicles. Their difference, compared to SUVs, lies at ******* vehicles. Find other insights concerning similar markets and segments, such as a ranking of subsegments in Greece regarding volume share of different fuel types in the Passenger Cars market as a whole and a ranking of subsegments in Germany regarding volume share of different fuel types in the Passenger Cars market as a whole. The Statista Market Insights cover a broad range of additional markets.

In 2023, there were 1.90 million new passenger cars registered in the United Kingdom. This was an 18 percent increase compared to the previous year. The UK new car market has recorded its best year since the pandemic. The growth in 2023, was attributed to fleet investment, as the supply constraints of the previous year faded, thereby facilitating the fulfillment of accumulated demand. . What consumers want The most important feature British consumers were looking for in their new car was fuel efficiency. According to a 2023 Statista survey, some 56 percent of respondents reported this characteristic to be of importance to them when deciding on a new purchase. Vehicle safety, suitability for everyday use, low price, and high driving comfort were the features rounding off the top five. Total number of licensed cars The overall number of licensed cars in Great Britain came close to 32.2 million units in 2022, which marked a full recovery from the dip recorded in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost 31.9 million units were registered in Great Britain in 2019.

Graph and download economic data for Sales: Retail Trade: Car Registration: Passenger Cars for United Kingdom (GBRSLRTCR03GPSAM) from Feb 1957 to May 2025 about car registrations, United Kingdom, trade, vehicles, retail trade, sales, and retail.

New Passenger Car Registrations YoY in the United Kingdom increased to 6.70 percent in June from 1.60 percent in May of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United Kingdom New Passenger Car Registrations YoY.

Key information about United Kingdom Motor Vehicles Sales

• United Kingdom Motor Vehicles Sales recorded 2,263,666 units in Dec 2023, compared with 1,943,572 units in the previous year.
• UK Motor Vehicles Sales is updated yearly, available from 2005 to 2023, with an averaged number of 2,595,713 units.
• The data reached an all-time high of 3,123,755 units in Dec 2016 and a record low of 1,943,572 units in Dec 2022.
• In the latest reports, Retail Sales of UK dropped 2 % YoY in May 2023.

In 2022, Volkswagen led the ranking of the best-selling car brand in the United Kingdom (UK), with nearly 131,900 units sold that year. That said, Volkswagen car sales were down around 10.8 percent compared with last year's sales. Volkswagen was followed by Ford and Audi.

The future is electric
Volkswagen aims to phase out the sale of internal combustion engines (ICE) and switch to an all-electric passenger car line-up in Europe, which would represent 80 percent of its European sales in 2030. This trend seems to resonate well with car buyers in the UK. In 2022, Tesla's Model Y was the third most popular car model in the United Kingdom.

Electric car sales soar in Europe
Electric vehicle sales in Europe increased by around 15 percent between 2021 and 2022. The UK was Europe's second-largest electric car market in 2022, while Germany topped the ranking. Europe's powerhouse has a fleet of over one million all-electric vehicles as of 2022 and seems to have surpassed the United Kingdom both in terms of electric vehicle sales and battery manufacturing expertise. Tesla, Catl, and Volkswagen have all started investing in battery manufacturing in Germany.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Other Motor Vehicle Sales industry in the UK

Companies in this industry sell classic cars — defined by HMRC as any car manufactured at least 15 years ago and with a market value of at least £15,000. As a luxury industry, it is sensitive to changes in disposable incomes, particularly in the highest quintile, which dictate how much individuals can spend on discretionary items. The COVID-19 outbreak slashed household expenditure in the highest quintile, constraining industry revenue in 2020-21. The cost-of-living crisis caused a sharp drop in disposable incomes; however, the highest earners remained somewhat shielded from this, with industry revenue expected to climb by 2.1% in 2024-25. Over the five years through 2024-25, the classic car dealer industry is expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 1.7% to shy of £2 billion. Affluent individuals historically dominated the downstream market for classic cars, acquiring them as part of a more extensive collection. Similar to pieces of art, classic cars can be a store of wealth and a form of investment. However, classic cars have become more popular among middle-class consumers, which is evident from the rapidly growing prices of low-cost classic cars, indicating increasing demand for these vehicles. Price jumps were particularly prominent in the two years through 2022 despite numerous economic headwinds like rising interest rates and uncertainty surrounding a potential recession. Momentum slowed in 2023, with Hagerty reporting only one-third of classic cars appreciating, attributing it to the cost-of-living crisis starting to bite. Over the five years through 2029-30, the classic car dealer industry is expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 3.2% to £2.4 billion. Rising consumer-to-consumer sales brokered on websites will restrict growth prospects for classic dealers. On top of this, a growing number of clean air zones in cities across the UK, coupled with lower emission targets and taxes on high-emission vehicles, will hamper industry growth, skyrocketing the cost of using older cars. However, technological developments like electric conversions will mitigate this somewhat, driving industry revenue growth in the coming years.

The UK electric car market is experiencing robust growth, driven by government incentives, increasing environmental awareness, and advancements in battery technology. The market's Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) exceeding 4% suggests a significant expansion over the forecast period (2025-2033). While precise figures for the UK market size in 2025 are unavailable from the provided data, extrapolating from global trends and considering the UK's proactive electric vehicle adoption policies, a reasonable estimate for the 2025 market size would be in the range of £3-5 billion. This is supported by the significant investments from major automotive players like BMW, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover, Hyundai, Volvo, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Toyota, and Ford, all actively competing within the UK market. These companies are not only launching new electric vehicle models but also investing heavily in charging infrastructure and battery production within the UK, further accelerating market growth. Segment-wise, passenger vehicles are expected to dominate the market share, closely followed by light commercial vehicles, driven by the increasing adoption of electric delivery vans and smaller commercial trucks in urban areas. While challenges remain, such as the initial higher purchase price of EVs and concerns over range anxiety, government subsidies and the expanding charging network are mitigating these barriers. The continued growth of the UK electric car market is projected to be influenced by several factors. Stringent emission regulations are pushing manufacturers to electrify their fleets. Furthermore, consumer preferences are shifting towards eco-friendly vehicles, creating sustained demand. Technological advancements, particularly in battery technology leading to longer ranges and faster charging times, are addressing consumer concerns. However, potential restraints include the availability of charging infrastructure in less populated areas and the ongoing cost of battery production, which can impact the overall affordability of electric vehicles. Sustained government support, coupled with technological improvements and a growing awareness of environmental responsibility among consumers, are likely to drive the UK electric car market towards substantial growth in the coming decade. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the dynamic UK electric car industry, covering the period from 2019 to 2033. It offers invaluable insights for businesses, investors, and policymakers navigating the complexities of this rapidly evolving sector. With a focus on key market trends, leading players, and future growth projections, this report is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand and participate in the UK's electric vehicle revolution. The report leverages a robust data set, including historical data (2019-2024), base year analysis (2025), and comprehensive forecasts (2025-2033) to deliver actionable intelligence. High-volume keywords like "UK electric car market," "electric vehicle sales UK," "EV charging infrastructure UK," and "electric car industry trends UK" are strategically incorporated for optimal search engine visibility. Recent developments include: November 2023: Ford motors and manufacturers 2030 have entered into a strategic Partnerships to help its suppliers achieve their CO2 reduction targets in line with Ford Motor Co.'s global objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.August 2023: Toyota Argentina announced that as it begins production of the Hiace in 2024 at its plant in Zárate, it will continue and enlarge the mission of the Conversions area, dedicated to designing and producing vehicles adapted to the specific needs of multiple customers.August 2023: The Dubai Police Department has placed an electric Mercedes EQS 580 on its fleet of luxury cars and environmentally conscious vehicles to patrol the streets.. Key drivers for this market are: Used Car Financing To Continue Solving Consumer Challenges In Indonesia. Potential restraints include: Trust And Transparency In Used Car Remained A Key Challenge For Consumers. Notable trends are: OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT.

Graph and download economic data for Sales: Retail trade: Car registration: Passenger cars for the United Kingdom (GBRSLRTCR03GYSAQ) from Q1 1960 to Q3 2018 about car registrations, trade, vehicles, United Kingdom, retail trade, retail, and sales.

The Online Car Dealers and Automotive Goods Retailers industry revenue is expected to fall at a compound annual rate of 0.8% to £3.1 billion over the five years through 2024-25, including a forecast drop of 2.9% in 2024-25. The online car dealers and automotive goods retailers industry initially thrived during the pandemic due to lockdown periods restricting physical dealership visits, prompting consumers to turn to online car platforms for safety, which was highlighted by Cazoo's spectacular growth. However, as normalcy returned, demand waned, leading to Cazoo's eventual administration in May 2024. Economic challenges, including inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, have further strained sales, prompting online dealers to diversify offerings to stabilize revenue. Despite these setbacks, increased internet usage has compelled traditional dealerships like Auto Trader and Pendragon to enhance their digital presence, intensifying industry competition. As a result, major retailers are focusing on digital marketing to capture a broader customer base. Over the five years through 2029-30, revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 0.2% to reach £3.2 billion. Following a pandemic-induced surge, the online car dealers and automotive goods retailers industry has seen declining demand as consumers revert to traditional in-person dealerships for test drives and personalised services. The initial boost in online sales, driven by lockdowns and safety concerns, has waned post-pandemic. Cazoo's administration in May 2024 illustrates the industry's struggles, as high operational costs and dwindling demand challenge sustainability. The future performance of online retailers remains uncertain, as the tangible buying experience offered by traditional dealerships continues to attract consumers, questioning the long-term viability of online-only models. However, parts sales will continue flourishing as they offer convenience and do not require as much inspection as cars, driving the industry forward.

The Ford Puma emerged as the best-selling car in the United Kingdom in 2024, with some 48,300 units sold that year. The model beat the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai to the top spot that year.

New plug-in hybrid electric car registrations soared in March 2024 with a peak of 24,517 sales, an 36.7 percent increase on March 2023. There tend to be higher sales in September and March due to the release of new registration plates. In September 2024, registrations increased to just over 24,480 units.