Best selling cars of the year

Which car takes the crown as the best-selling car in the UK?

The sale of brand-new cars has struggled for a few years since the pandemic and 2024 was no different. It has been for manufacturers to regain control after long production delays and decreased buyer demand. Data from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) below shows which cars were the best-selling in the UK for 2024.

It seems more drivers than ever are buying SUV crossovers with the Ford Puma topping the list of best-selling cars UK and the Nissan Juke and Hyundai Tucson also being featured too. Drivers are also still favouring petrol and diesel models but the all-electric Tesla Model Y also makes an appearance as the 5th best-selling car of the year!

Let’s take a deeper look into the UK’s best-selling cars of the year!

1. Ford Puma

Registrations: 48,340.

Say hello to your 2024 best-selling car in the UK, the Ford Puma! Over the year, the Ford Puma was consistently popular amongst UK drivers and sold an impressive 48,340 cars by the end of the year. This SUV crossover is one of the bestselling SUVs because it’s nippy, practical and economical. The boom in sales may be due to customers still looking for an alternative to the Ford Fiesta which was discontinued in October 2023. The Ford Puma is a mild hybrid which means it can’t be powered on electricity alone but it offers a small electric motor to improve fuel efficiency and give the engine a little boost!  

2. Kia Sportage.

Registrations: 47,163.

The Kia Sportage is another example of an SUV which is loved by UK drivers. The Sportage comes in a range of different fuel options and there is sure to be a petrol, mild hybrid, self-charging hybrid or PHEV to suit you. It can make the perfect family car and depending on if you choose a hybrid model, you can save serious money on running costs too. A massive selling point of any Kia model is also its huge 7-year warranty which can be transferred with ownership. This means if you buy a used Kia on finance, you could still benefit from the warranty if the car is less than 7 years old or under 100,000 miles.

3. Nissan Qashqai.

Registrations: 42,418.

The Nissan Qashqai was once the best-selling car in the UK but now settled into 3rd place. It was also one of the most popular cars bought on finance by our customers! The Nissan Qashqai has been well-loved by many drivers for years. Not only is it a mid-sized SUV with an affordable price stage but it’s one of the best cars for families too. It’s easy to see why people love the Qashqai, it’s practical, well-built and also comes in a range of different powertrains. If you’re looking to buy a used Nissan Qashqai, there is an endless amount of choice and it’s one of the best cars you can buy for under £10k!

Discover more – Benefits of owning an electric car.

4. Nissan Juke.

Registrations: 34,454.

The Nissan Juke is another crossover SUV which is storming the best-selling list this year! It’s reasonably cheap for a brand-new car with a price tag of around £23k and is great value for money. The Nissan Juke had a facelift in 2024 which brought a new, more stylish body shape and a refresh to its technology and features. The Nissan Juke is a clear rival to the Ford Puma but could it overtake its popularity this year? Check out our used Nissan Juke deals today!

5. Tesla Model Y.

Registrations: 32,862.

The Tesla Model Y is the UK’s best-selling electric car and it’s easy to see why! The Tesla Model Y is jam-packed with some of the most futuristic technology and features of any car on the market. You may be surprised that the Model Y is the biggest-selling EV due to its £46,000 price tag, but you get so much for your money. The Tesla Model Y has an impressive range of 373 miles on a single charge and charging is fast and easy!

Check out our Tesla finance page to see how we could make your EV dreams a reality.

6. Volkswagen Golf. 

Registrations: 37,826.

The 6th best-selling car in the UK in 2024 was the Volkswagen Golf. The Volkswagen Golf has long been a popular car in UK, mainly due to its endless versatility and frugality. The Volkswagen Golf is celebrating its 50th birthday and has brought a new and enhanced look for the occasion. The Volkswagen Golf comes in a range of engine options and multiple trims. It’s a great little all-rounder which is both sporty and practical! 

7. Hyundai Tucson.

Registrations: 32,174.

The Hyundai Tucson is a mid-size SUV which is great value for money and provides plenty of space for a growing family! So much so, that we’ve featured it as one of our best cars for the school run! Over 32,000 Tucson’s were registered in the UK in 2024 and it’s now the 3rd year it’s been one of the best-selling cars in the UK! The Tucson has been around for a few years now but the latest version really brings it up to date and edges a more sophisticated feel. The new Tucson also comes with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty for added peace of mind. 

8. MG HS.

Registrations: 30,270.

You tend to see the same cars on the best-selling list each year but the MG HS is a brand new entry for 2024! The HS was first released in 2018 and its second generation was released in 2024. Drivers were clearly impressed by the new version because it sits in 8th place among the best-selling cars of the year. The MG HS is a large SUV and it’s a plug-in hybrid too so you can enjoy an EV range of 75 miles and reduce your fuel bills. if hybrid isn’t your thing, there’s a 1.5-litre petrol engine you can opt for. 

9. Volvo XC40.

Registrations: 30,202.

The Volvo XC40 is an impressive mild hybrid SUV. The mild hybrid technology means you won’t be able to run on electricity alone but it is used to store and recover energy when braking to reduce fuel consumption and refine the driving experience. The Volvo XC40 is spacious and adaptable and it makes a great car for wheelchair users or all your family needs! Not only that but the XC40 looks great both inside and out. Its exterior is sophisticated and sporty and the interior is plush and sleek. The Volvo XC40 is a great choice for any driver and its easy to see why it’s one of the best-selling cars of the year. 

10. Volkswagen Polo.

Registrations: 27,674.

And last but not least, the 10th best-selling car in the UK for 2024 was the Volkswagen Polo. Much like the Golf, the Polo is one of those cars which suit a whole range of drivers and they’ve been popular for a long time. The Polo is often described as a smaller version of the Golf but we don’t think it should be overlooked. The Volkswagen Polo is one of the best supermini cars you can buy and it really packs a punch. It’s nippy and elegant on the road and you’ll not spend a fortune when it comes to running costs either. 

How do the best-selling cars in the UK compare to last year? 

2024:

1. Ford Puma (Registrations: 48,340) ⬆️ 
2. Kia Sportage (Registrations: 47,163) ⬆️
3. Nissan Qashqai (Registrations: 42,418) ⬇️
4. Nissan Juke (Registrations: 34,454) ⬆️
5. Tesla Model Y (Registrations: 37,608) ⬆️
6. Volkswagen Golf (Registrations: 32,370) 🆕
7. Hyundai Tucson (Registrations: 32,174) ⬇️
8. MG HS (Registrations: 30,270) 🆕
9. Volvo XC40 (Registrations: 30,202) 🆕
10. Volkswagen Polo (Registrations: 27,674) 🆕