The top 10 most popular cars in the UK

Both fleet and private car registrations dropped, by 3.7% and 0.5%, respectively. Business registrations increased by 2.4%, though this was a small gain, translating to just 55 additional units.

Continuing current trends, petrol car registrations fell by 15.3%, making up just over half (50.3%) of the market, while diesel registrations decreased by 7.7%, holding a 6.2% share.

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) both saw growth in volume and market share, rising to 13.2% and 9.0%, respectively. Meanwhile, battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations continued to grow, increasing by 41.6% year-on-year and capturing a 21.3% share of the market.

This suggests more people are buying and selling cars in the UK. 

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "January’s figures show EV demand is growing – but not fast enough to deliver on current ambitions. Affordability remains a major barrier to uptake, hence the need for compelling measures to boost demand, and not just from manufacturers.

"The application, therefore, of the ‘Expensive Car Supplement’ to VED on electric vehicles is the wrong measure at the wrong time. Rather than penalising EV buyers, we should be taking every step to encourage more drivers to make the switch, helping meet government, industry and societal climate change goals."

• Car tax bands – a simple guide
• Electric cars – a definitive guide and tips for buyers
• Tips and advice for buying a new car in the UK

Top 10 best-selling cars in the UK 2024

Ford's popular small SUV, the Puma, is easy to drive, comfortable and practical with a large boot. The Puma is also cheap to run thanks to petrol hybrid technology that keeps fuel costs down. Little wonder, perhaps, it's so popular with car buyers in Britian.

Read our full Ford Puma review.

Easy to drive, stylish and backed by a seven-year-warranty, the Kia Sportage is a serious player in the family SUV market. All versions are spacious and comfortable, while Kia’s impressive range of petrol hybrid powertrains make the Sportage rewarding to drive and affordable to run.

Read our full Kia Sportage review.

Popular with family car buyers, the Nissan Qashqai is one of the UK's favourite SUVs. Now in its third generation, the Qashqai is better than ever before. The interior is spacious, and the high levels of refinement make the Qashqai perfect for high mileage drivers who want a class leading family car at a price they can afford.

Read our full Nissan Qashqai review.

The Volkswagen Golf is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and remains one of Britain's most popular cars for people of all ages.

Read our full Volkswagen Golf review.

The original small supermini-derived SUV, the Nissan Juke is a worthy rival to the Ford Puma thanks to its eye-catching style and driver-friendly cabin. Most buyers choose their Juke with Nissan’s excellent 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, while the 1.6-litre hybrid is popular with drivers who want their Juke with a dose of performance.

Read our full Nissan Juke review.

The new MG HS builds on oits hugely popular large SUV with an extensive redesign featuring a sharper, more aggressive appearance. 

Read our full MG HS review.