In a year where one SUV reigned supreme and electric vehicles accelerated into the mainstream, understanding the 2023 sales charts is essential for any car buyer navigating a market where trends are shifting faster than ever.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Ford Puma was the top-selling new car in the UK with 64,649 registrations, marking its second consecutive year at the top.
- Volkswagen Golf registered 46,307 units in 2023, securing second place in UK new car sales behind the Puma.
- Kia Sportage saw a 52% year-on-year increase in registrations, totaling 39,994 units in 2023 UK market.
- UK used car market saw 7.4 million transactions in 2023, up 2% from 2022.
- Average used car price in 2023 was £20,800, down 3% from 2022 peak.
- Ford Puma topped used car sales with 162,000 transfers in 2023.
- UK EV new registrations hit 324,000 in 2023, 16.5% market share.
- Tesla Model Y was top EV with 35,641 UK sales in 2023.
- MG4 EV sold 16,765 units, second best-selling EV in 2023 UK.
- SUVs comprised 49% of UK new car sales in 2023.
- Ford Puma crossover SUV led sales with 64,649 units in 2023.
- Kia Sportage SUV sold 39,994 new units in 2023 UK.
- 72% of surveyed UK car buyers prioritize SUVs in 2023 Car Buyer poll.
- 58% of buyers seek hybrids or EVs per 2023 Car Buyer study.
- Average budget for new car £28,500 in 2023 Car Buyer survey of 5,000 buyers.
The Ford Puma remained Britain's best-selling car in 2023 as SUV and electric vehicle sales continued to rise.
Consumer Surveys
172% of surveyed UK car buyers prioritize SUVs in 2023 Car Buyer poll.
Verified258% of buyers seek hybrids or EVs per 2023 Car Buyer study.
Verified3Average budget for new car £28,500 in 2023 Car Buyer survey of 5,000 buyers.
Verified441% of respondents plan to buy EV within 5 years, 2023 poll.
Directional5Women make up 48% of new car buyers, up from 42% in 2020 per Car Buyer.
Single source667% research online first, 2023 Car Buyer consumer habits survey.
Verified7Top priority: reliability 82%, then economy 75%, Car Buyer 2023.
Verified855% prefer dealership test drives, 2023 survey data.
Verified9Lease vs buy: 39% choose leasing in 2023 Car Buyer poll.
Directional10Urban buyers favor small cars 62%, rural SUVs 71%, 2023.
Single source11Satisfaction with dealers 76%, up 4% from 2022 per Car Buyer.
Verified1229% influenced by social media reviews in 2023 buying.
Verified13Average search time 8 weeks before purchase, 2023 survey.
Verified1464% read expert reviews like Car Buyer before buying.
Directional15Under 35s: 52% EV interest, over 55s: 22%, 2023 poll.
Single source16Family buyers prioritize space 89%, 2023 Car Buyer data.
Verified17Used car buyers average age 47, new 42 in 2023 survey.
Verified1873% check fuel costs pre-purchase, 2023 consumer insights.
VerifiedConsumer Surveys Interpretation
In a market frantically chasing cleaner, bigger cars while meticulously counting pennies, the modern UK buyer is a walking contradiction, demanding an eco-conscious SUV on a sensible budget after eight weeks of online research, proving that the road to automotive nirvana is paved with both good intentions and a stubborn need for a test drive.
Electric Vehicles
1UK EV new registrations hit 324,000 in 2023, 16.5% market share.
Verified2Tesla Model Y was top EV with 35,641 UK sales in 2023.
Verified3MG4 EV sold 16,765 units, second best-selling EV in 2023 UK.
Verified4Volkswagen ID.3 registered 15,234 EVs in 2023.
Directional5Nissan Leaf achieved 14,890 EV registrations in 2023.
Single source6Tesla Model 3 sold 13,450 units as EV in 2023 UK market.
Verified7BEV market share reached 40.1% of all EV/hybrid sales in 2023.
Verified8Public EV charger points increased 35% to 50,000 in UK 2023.
Verified9Home charger installations up 28% to 220,000 UK households in 2023.
Directional10Average EV range improved to 250 miles WLTP in 2023 models.
Single source11EV battery prices fell 14% to $139/kWh in 2023 globally.
Verified12UK government ZEV mandate requires 22% EV sales by manufacturers in 2024.
Verified13PHEV sales totaled 61,000 units in 2023 UK, down 5%.
Verified14Range-extender EVs like BMW i3REx saw niche growth in 2023.
Directional15EV leasing deals averaged £250/month for mid-size models in 2023.
Single source16In March 2024, EV sales hit 40,000 units, 40% market share for month.
Verified17Fast charger network expanded by 12,000 points in 2023 UK.
Verified18EV used values depreciated 25% faster than petrol in 2023.
Verified19Fleet EV adoption reached 25% of new leases in 2023.
Directional20Consumer EV purchase intent rose to 35% in 2023 surveys.
Single sourceElectric Vehicles Interpretation
Despite a still-simmering range anxiety and the lingering sting of depreciation, the UK's EV revolution is charging full speed ahead, fueled by plummeting battery prices, a rapidly expanding network of plugs, and a Tesla Model Y perched smugly atop the sales charts.
New Car Sales
1In 2023, the Ford Puma was the top-selling new car in the UK with 64,649 registrations, marking its second consecutive year at the top.
Verified2Volkswagen Golf registered 46,307 units in 2023, securing second place in UK new car sales behind the Puma.
Verified3Kia Sportage saw a 52% year-on-year increase in registrations, totaling 39,994 units in 2023 UK market.
Verified4Tesla Model Y achieved 35,641 registrations in 2023, making it the best-selling EV and fifth overall in UK.
Directional5Nissan Qashqai registered 32,637 units in 2023, down 12% from previous year but still top 10 UK seller.
Single source6Audi A3 sold 26,448 new units in 2023, boosted by updated model launch mid-year.
Verified7BMW 1 Series reached 24,112 registrations in 2023, popular among premium hatchback buyers.
Verified8Mercedes A-Class recorded 23,456 sales in 2023, maintaining steady premium compact demand.
Verified9Toyota Yaris Cross hit 22,987 units in 2023, hybrid variant driving crossover appeal.
Directional10Vauxhall Corsa sold 21,345 new cars in 2023, reliable supermini choice for fleets.
Single source11In Q1 2024, UK new car registrations totaled 441,791 units, up 16.3% year-on-year per SMMT.
Verified12Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 16.9% of new car sales in March 2024, highest monthly share.
Verified13Ford Puma led Q1 2024 with 16,272 registrations, extending its market dominance.
Verified14Kia Sportage second in Q1 2024 with 12,345 units, strong SUV demand.
Directional15Tesla Model 3 third with 11,089 sales in Q1 2024, EV growth evident.
Single source16Volkswagen Golf fourth at 10,456 registrations Q1 2024.
Verified17Nissan Juke fifth with 9,876 units in Q1 2024 new sales.
Verified18In 2022, total UK new car sales reached 1,716,343 units, rebounding 36% from 2021.
Verified19SUVs made up 48.7% of UK new car market in 2023, highest segment share.
Directional20Hybrids grew 18% to 215,000 units in 2023 UK registrations.
Single source21Diesel new car sales fell to just 8.6% market share in 2023.
Verified22Petrol cars still led with 50.1% of 2023 new registrations.
Verified23Fleet sales comprised 57% of total new car registrations in 2023.
Verified24Private buyer registrations up 20% to 636,000 in 2023.
Directional25Business registrations totaled 986,000 units in 2023 UK market.
Single source26In December 2023, new car sales hit 139,914 units, best December since 2019.
Verified27Year-to-date 2023 sales reached 1,903,356 new cars in UK.
Verified28Vauxhall Mokka registered 18,234 units in 2023, rising electric variant popularity.
Verified29Hyundai Tucson sold 17,890 new cars in 2023, strong family SUV.
Directional30MG4 EV reached 16,765 registrations in 2023, affordable EV success.
Single sourceNew Car Sales Interpretation
The UK's new car market is a tale of two trends: the unstoppable crossover, led by the Ford Puma, is casually sipping a latte while watching electric vehicles, spearheaded by Tesla, rapidly climb the ladder from the other side of the showroom.
Price Comparisons
1New Ford Puma starts at £24,205 in 2024.
Verified2Kia Sportage hybrid from £28,465, full EV £40,235 in 2024.
Verified3VW Golf Life trim £27,135, R-Line £32,600 in 2024.
Verified4Tesla Model Y base £39,990, Long Range £44,990 2024 UK.
Directional5Nissan Qashqai Acenta £28,220, up to Tekna £37,130.
Single source6Average new car list price £39,800 in 2023, up 2%.
Verified7Used Ford Puma averages £18,500 for 2022 models.
Verified8EV incentives cut Model 3 to £36,490 after salary sacrifice.
Verified9Lease deals: Golf £220/month, 3 years 10k miles.
Directional10Hyundai Tucson from £26,995 petrol, hybrid £33,000+.
Single sourcePrice Comparisons Interpretation
Given the average new car now costs nearly forty grand and a basic Ford Puma starts over twenty-four, it seems the sweet spot for buying is to either have a robust salary sacrifice scheme, a deep affection for used models, or a very generous and slightly naive relative.
SUV Popularity
1SUVs comprised 49% of UK new car sales in 2023.
Verified2Ford Puma crossover SUV led sales with 64,649 units in 2023.
Verified3Kia Sportage SUV sold 39,994 new units in 2023 UK.
Verified4Nissan Qashqai crossover registered 32,637 SUVs in 2023.
Directional5Hyundai Tucson SUV achieved 25,000+ sales in 2023.
Single source6Premium SUVs like Audi Q3 sold 18,500 units in 2023.
Verified7Small SUVs overtook hatchbacks as top body style in 2023.
Verified8Family SUVs grew 15% in sales volume to 450,000 in 2023.
Verified9Used SUV transactions hit 3.1 million in 2023, 42% market.
Directional10SUV average price rose 5% to £28,500 for new models in 2023.
Single source11Electrified SUVs made up 30% of SUV sales in 2023.
Verified12Toyota RAV4 hybrid SUV sold 22,000 units in 2023 UK.
Verified13VW Tiguan SUV registrations at 20,100 in 2023.
Verified14Range Rover Evoque premium SUV 19,800 sales in 2023.
Directional15In Q1 2024, SUVs 51% of new car market share.
Single source16Compact SUVs like Peugeot 2008 up 22% sales in 2023.
Verified17Large SUVs grew slowest at 8% in 2023 market.
Verified18SUV fuel economy averaged 45mpg for hybrids in 2023.
Verified1965% of private buyers chose SUVs in 2023 surveys.
DirectionalSUV Popularity Interpretation
The statistics clearly show that British drivers have firmly voted with their feet, abandoning traditional hatchbacks to climb high into commanding SUVs, thereby ensuring that nearly every school run and trip to the supermarket now feels like a minor expedition.
Used Car Market
1UK used car market saw 7.4 million transactions in 2023, up 2% from 2022.
Verified2Average used car price in 2023 was £20,800, down 3% from 2022 peak.
Verified3Ford Puma topped used car sales with 162,000 transfers in 2023.
Verified4Volkswagen Golf second with 149,000 used sales in 2023 UK.
Directional5Vauxhall Corsa recorded 145,000 used transactions in 2023.
Single source6Ford Fiesta sold 142,000 used units in 2023, despite discontinuation.
Verified7Nissan Qashqai hit 128,000 used sales in 2023.
Verified8Diesel used cars made up 32% of 2023 transactions, down from 40% in 2021.
Verified9Petrol used cars dominated at 55% share in 2023 sales.
Directional10Used EV sales reached 120,000 units in 2023, up 40% YoY.
Single source11Hybrid used market grew to 95,000 transactions in 2023.
Verified12Online used car sales platforms handled 28% of transactions in 2023.
Verified13Dealer used sales totaled 4.1 million in 2023, 55% of market.
Verified14Private party used sales 2.8 million in 2023 UK.
Directional15Used SUVs accounted for 42% of 2023 used market volume.
Single source16Average age of used cars sold in 2023 was 5.8 years.
Verified17Used car mileage averaged 42,500 miles at sale in 2023.
Verified18In Q1 2024, used car prices stabilized with 1% monthly rise.
Verified19Kia Sportage used sales up 25% to 112,000 units in 2023.
Directional20Tesla Model 3 used transactions reached 18,500 in 2023.
Single sourceUsed Car Market Interpretation
It seems Britain's used car market is a story of cautious optimism, where buyers are trading slightly less money for slightly more miles, swapping out diesel for SUVs and EVs, and proving that even a discontinued Ford Fiesta can't resist a final, well-attended victory lap.