September is one of the most important months in the UK new-car calendar, and the latest enquiry data gives a useful picture of what buyers were actively considering as the new registration plate arrived.
Autotrader reported new-car visits up 4% year on year and 7% month on month during September, while advertised new-car stock was also up 4% compared with August.
The Volkswagen Golf led model enquiries
Among all fuel types, the Volkswagen Golf generated the largest share of new-car enquiries in Autotrader's September data, accounting for 4.9%.
The Range Rover Sport followed at 3.3%, with the Jaecoo 7 at 3.1%. The rest of the top group showed just how broad buyer interest has become, ranging from premium SUVs to superminis and performance cars.
- Volkswagen Golf – 4.9% of enquiries
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport – 3.3%
- Jaecoo 7 – 3.1%
- Land Rover Range Rover – 2.1%
- MG MGS9 – 1.9%
- Land Rover Defender 110 – 1.8%
- Vauxhall Corsa – 1.6%
- Renault 5 E-Tech – 1.5%
- MG HS – 1.5%
- BMW M3 – 1.5%
BMW was the most in-demand brand
At brand level, BMW accounted for 10.7% of new-car enquiries, followed by Volkswagen at 9.0% and Land Rover at 8.7%. Audi, Skoda, MG, Jaecoo, Peugeot, Hyundai and Renault completed the top ten.
The mix is interesting because it combines long-established premium and mainstream manufacturers with brands that have expanded quickly in the UK.
Electric enquiry patterns look different
When only electric cars are considered, the Renault 5 E-Tech led individual model enquiries with a 5.7% share. BMW's iX1 followed at 3.7%, with the Hyundai INSTER and BMW iX3 each around 3.4%.
BMW was also the most in-demand electric brand overall in the dataset, followed by Renault, Hyundai, BYD, Kia and Skoda.
Why enquiry data matters
Registration figures tell us what people ultimately bought. Enquiry data gives an earlier indication of what buyers are considering before the sale is completed.
That makes it particularly useful for dealers planning stock and for private sellers trying to understand the types of cars competing for attention.
Competition is helping buyers
More brands and more models generally mean more pressure on manufacturers to make their offers attractive. Buyers should use that competition to compare not just headline discounts but finance rates, deposit contributions, standard equipment, warranty cover and expected resale value.
The September data suggests the UK new-car market remains highly competitive, with traditional favourites still performing strongly while newer entrants increasingly win a place on buyers' shortlists.
Source: Autotrader new-car demand data, 23 September 2026.
