The latest UK registration figures show how quickly the new-car leaderboard is changing. In September, the Jaecoo 7 was the most registered new car in the country with 10,814 units, according to SMMT data.
That put it ahead of the Tesla Model 3, which recorded 9,929 registrations, and the Ford Puma with 6,958.
September's top ten new cars
- Jaecoo 7 – 10,814
- Tesla Model 3 – 9,929
- Ford Puma – 6,958
- Kia Sportage – 6,521
- Tesla Model Y – 5,946
- Nissan Qashqai – 5,554
- Vauxhall Corsa – 5,498
- Volkswagen Golf – 5,496
- MG HS – 5,444
- Audi A3 – 5,268
The list is notable for its variety. SUVs and crossovers remain prominent, but electric saloons, hatchbacks and more traditional family cars are all represented.
Ford Puma still leads the year
Looking at the year-to-date picture gives a different result. The Ford Puma remains the UK's most registered model of 2026 so far, with 42,926 units.
The Jaecoo 7 is second with 39,474, followed by the Kia Sportage on 37,085 and Nissan Qashqai on 33,082.
That means the monthly chart is changing faster than the full-year ranking, which is exactly what you would expect in a market with new entrants, changing incentives and plate-change seasonality.
New brands are becoming mainstream much faster
The rise of Jaecoo is one of the clearest signs of how much more competitive the UK market has become. Buyers now have serious alternatives from brands that had little or no UK presence only a short time ago.
That competition can benefit consumers through more equipment, longer warranties, sharper pricing and more pressure on established manufacturers to improve offers.
Electric models are now part of the mainstream chart
Two Teslas appeared in September's overall top five, rather than only in a separate electric ranking. That reflects the scale that battery-electric registrations reached during the plate-change month.
For buyers considering a nearly-new car in the next few years, today's new-car registration trends also matter because they shape tomorrow's used supply. High-volume models eventually become easier to find second-hand, which can improve choice and make pricing more transparent.
What should used-car buyers watch?
A popular new car is not automatically the best used buy. Depreciation, reliability, insurance, parts availability and servicing all matter. However, strong new-car volumes can help build a healthier used market around a model.
September's ranking shows a UK market that is more diverse than it has been for years. Established favourites remain important, but the cars reaching the top of the chart are changing quickly.
Source: SMMT UK car registration data, September 2026.
