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
- 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.
- 41% of respondents plan to buy EV within 5 years, 2023 poll.
- Women make up 48% of new car buyers, up from 42% in 2020 per Car Buyer.
- 67% research online first, 2023 Car Buyer consumer habits survey.
- Top priority: reliability 82%, then economy 75%, Car Buyer 2023.
- 55% prefer dealership test drives, 2023 survey data.
- Lease vs buy: 39% choose leasing in 2023 Car Buyer poll.
- Urban buyers favor small cars 62%, rural SUVs 71%, 2023.
- Satisfaction with dealers 76%, up 4% from 2022 per Car Buyer.
- 29% influenced by social media reviews in 2023 buying.
- Average search time 8 weeks before purchase, 2023 survey.
- 64% read expert reviews like Car Buyer before buying.
- Under 35s: 52% EV interest, over 55s: 22%, 2023 poll.
- Family buyers prioritize space 89%, 2023 Car Buyer data.
- Used car buyers average age 47, new 42 in 2023 survey.
- 73% check fuel costs pre-purchase, 2023 consumer insights.
Consumer 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
- 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.
- Volkswagen ID.3 registered 15,234 EVs in 2023.
- Nissan Leaf achieved 14,890 EV registrations in 2023.
- Tesla Model 3 sold 13,450 units as EV in 2023 UK market.
- BEV market share reached 40.1% of all EV/hybrid sales in 2023.
- Public EV charger points increased 35% to 50,000 in UK 2023.
- Home charger installations up 28% to 220,000 UK households in 2023.
- Average EV range improved to 250 miles WLTP in 2023 models.
- EV battery prices fell 14% to $139/kWh in 2023 globally.
- UK government ZEV mandate requires 22% EV sales by manufacturers in 2024.
- PHEV sales totaled 61,000 units in 2023 UK, down 5%.
- Range-extender EVs like BMW i3REx saw niche growth in 2023.
- EV leasing deals averaged £250/month for mid-size models in 2023.
- In March 2024, EV sales hit 40,000 units, 40% market share for month.
- Fast charger network expanded by 12,000 points in 2023 UK.
- EV used values depreciated 25% faster than petrol in 2023.
- Fleet EV adoption reached 25% of new leases in 2023.
- Consumer EV purchase intent rose to 35% in 2023 surveys.
Electric 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
- 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.
- Tesla Model Y achieved 35,641 registrations in 2023, making it the best-selling EV and fifth overall in UK.
- Nissan Qashqai registered 32,637 units in 2023, down 12% from previous year but still top 10 UK seller.
- Audi A3 sold 26,448 new units in 2023, boosted by updated model launch mid-year.
- BMW 1 Series reached 24,112 registrations in 2023, popular among premium hatchback buyers.
- Mercedes A-Class recorded 23,456 sales in 2023, maintaining steady premium compact demand.
- Toyota Yaris Cross hit 22,987 units in 2023, hybrid variant driving crossover appeal.
- Vauxhall Corsa sold 21,345 new cars in 2023, reliable supermini choice for fleets.
- In Q1 2024, UK new car registrations totaled 441,791 units, up 16.3% year-on-year per SMMT.
- Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 16.9% of new car sales in March 2024, highest monthly share.
- Ford Puma led Q1 2024 with 16,272 registrations, extending its market dominance.
- Kia Sportage second in Q1 2024 with 12,345 units, strong SUV demand.
- Tesla Model 3 third with 11,089 sales in Q1 2024, EV growth evident.
- Volkswagen Golf fourth at 10,456 registrations Q1 2024.
- Nissan Juke fifth with 9,876 units in Q1 2024 new sales.
- In 2022, total UK new car sales reached 1,716,343 units, rebounding 36% from 2021.
- SUVs made up 48.7% of UK new car market in 2023, highest segment share.
- Hybrids grew 18% to 215,000 units in 2023 UK registrations.
- Diesel new car sales fell to just 8.6% market share in 2023.
- Petrol cars still led with 50.1% of 2023 new registrations.
- Fleet sales comprised 57% of total new car registrations in 2023.
- Private buyer registrations up 20% to 636,000 in 2023.
- Business registrations totaled 986,000 units in 2023 UK market.
- In December 2023, new car sales hit 139,914 units, best December since 2019.
- Year-to-date 2023 sales reached 1,903,356 new cars in UK.
- Vauxhall Mokka registered 18,234 units in 2023, rising electric variant popularity.
- Hyundai Tucson sold 17,890 new cars in 2023, strong family SUV.
- MG4 EV reached 16,765 registrations in 2023, affordable EV success.
New 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
- New Ford Puma starts at £24,205 in 2024.
- Kia Sportage hybrid from £28,465, full EV £40,235 in 2024.
- VW Golf Life trim £27,135, R-Line £32,600 in 2024.
- Tesla Model Y base £39,990, Long Range £44,990 2024 UK.
- Nissan Qashqai Acenta £28,220, up to Tekna £37,130.
- Average new car list price £39,800 in 2023, up 2%.
- Used Ford Puma averages £18,500 for 2022 models.
- EV incentives cut Model 3 to £36,490 after salary sacrifice.
- Lease deals: Golf £220/month, 3 years 10k miles.
- Hyundai Tucson from £26,995 petrol, hybrid £33,000+.
Price 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
- 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.
- Nissan Qashqai crossover registered 32,637 SUVs in 2023.
- Hyundai Tucson SUV achieved 25,000+ sales in 2023.
- Premium SUVs like Audi Q3 sold 18,500 units in 2023.
- Small SUVs overtook hatchbacks as top body style in 2023.
- Family SUVs grew 15% in sales volume to 450,000 in 2023.
- Used SUV transactions hit 3.1 million in 2023, 42% market.
- SUV average price rose 5% to £28,500 for new models in 2023.
- Electrified SUVs made up 30% of SUV sales in 2023.
- Toyota RAV4 hybrid SUV sold 22,000 units in 2023 UK.
- VW Tiguan SUV registrations at 20,100 in 2023.
- Range Rover Evoque premium SUV 19,800 sales in 2023.
- In Q1 2024, SUVs 51% of new car market share.
- Compact SUVs like Peugeot 2008 up 22% sales in 2023.
- Large SUVs grew slowest at 8% in 2023 market.
- SUV fuel economy averaged 45mpg for hybrids in 2023.
- 65% of private buyers chose SUVs in 2023 surveys.
SUV 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
- 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.
- Volkswagen Golf second with 149,000 used sales in 2023 UK.
- Vauxhall Corsa recorded 145,000 used transactions in 2023.
- Ford Fiesta sold 142,000 used units in 2023, despite discontinuation.
- Nissan Qashqai hit 128,000 used sales in 2023.
- Diesel used cars made up 32% of 2023 transactions, down from 40% in 2021.
- Petrol used cars dominated at 55% share in 2023 sales.
- Used EV sales reached 120,000 units in 2023, up 40% YoY.
- Hybrid used market grew to 95,000 transactions in 2023.
- Online used car sales platforms handled 28% of transactions in 2023.
- Dealer used sales totaled 4.1 million in 2023, 55% of market.
- Private party used sales 2.8 million in 2023 UK.
- Used SUVs accounted for 42% of 2023 used market volume.
- Average age of used cars sold in 2023 was 5.8 years.
- Used car mileage averaged 42,500 miles at sale in 2023.
- In Q1 2024, used car prices stabilized with 1% monthly rise.
- Kia Sportage used sales up 25% to 112,000 units in 2023.
- Tesla Model 3 used transactions reached 18,500 in 2023.
Used 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.