Car preferences change depending on the roads and region. Supercars are more likely to be spotted in London — thanks to the higher density of very affluent people. But what about the average driver in England? And what’s the most popular choice for Welsh drivers? Are used cars in higher demand than new cars? Read on to discover Britain’s best selling cars…
Right across the UK, new car sales are down. This is partly due to supply chain issues for a key component – semiconductors. These little chips have been in high demand and low supply for around 18 months now. They’re used to make airbags, seatbelt tensioners, ABS and other systems work in a car. When manufacturers can’t get hold of them, production is reduced.
Used car sales are up across the UK — by a healthy 5.1% according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Thanks to the reduced supply of new cars, used are the new best selling cars for 2022. Electric car registrations boosted used car sales figures a little, with their sales almost doubling over the past 12 months.
SUVs continue to rise in popularity for new car buyers but don’t get quite the same traction when it comes to used car sales. So, with new car sales down and used cars up, what are Britain’s best selling cars and who prefers to drive what?
England’s best selling cars
The Nissan Qashqai has trumped sales figures in England for April. But Vauxhall’s Corsa takes pole position when looking at total sales for the year. The Qashqai isn’t too far behind for total sales and it’s entirely possible the SUV will snatch victory from the Corsa by the end of the year.
As for the internal combustion engine (ICE) vs electric vehicle debate, petrol cars are still winning. 232,402 new petrol cars have been sold across the UK this year. Coming in at second place, however, are battery EVs. 77,064 new car sales were BEVs at the end of April.
If we’re talking used cars, English drivers can’t seem to get enough of Ford’s Fiesta. 73,851 of these nifty little cars were sold in the first quarter of this year. It’s easy to see why the Ford Fiesta is a firm favourite. The hatch is economical, fun to drive and has plenty of kit to ensure a comfortable ride, even on longer journeys.
The Fiesta ST is set to be superseded by a new Fiesta release later in the year. It’s completely possible that this will outsell the Corsa by the end of 2022. It’s most certainly a case of watching this space to see which will come out on top for England.
Wales’ best sellers
Across the border in Wales, the best selling cars take a slightly different style and shape. Although it’s still an SUV, Nissan gets pushed from its April lead by Ford’s Puma. This make and model had 3,318 sales in April and a total of 11,846 for the year so far. Many of these were Welsh registrations.
The Ford Puma started life as a small coupé in the 90’s but recently morphed into an SUV crossover with sporty looks. The result has been an increase in sales and a special place in Welsh drivers’ hearts. Reviews for the Puma tend to be pretty good and the inclusion of hybrid engines means it has reasonable green credentials as well.
When it comes to used cars, the Welsh are in agreement with the English. The Ford Fiesta is the favoured used car for them too.
Northern Ireland’s favourite cars
A little out of the ordinary, drivers in Northern Ireland appear to have taken a liking to the Hyundai Tucson. This new car has been a firm favourite of the Irish for the past five years. Another SUV, the Tucson is great for running about town and has mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid engine options.
Total sales of the Tucson in 2022 were 10,120. 2,231 of these were in April. It’s a great drive, has loads of cool equipment and is both practical and good looking. No doubt, this is what’s helped Irish drivers fall in love with the Korean model.
When it comes to used cars, Northern Irish drivers differ again. Although Ford’s are still a favourite, it’s the Focus that wins the most sales for used cars. The Ford Focus is a great looking car with a good record for reliability and quality. Problems to look out for if buying a Focus second-hand are creaks for the suspension, leaks from the windscreen and clunking sounds in the steering.
Scotland’s best selling cars
Scottish drivers agree with the Welsh about the Ford Puma. it’s the best selling car for this region. The Scots did their fair share to push sales past the 11,000 mark in 2022. When it comes to used cars, however, the Scots prefer a VW Golf or the Nissan Qashqai. Sales of the Golf are strongest around Glasgow while the Qashqai does well in other parts of the country.
It’s clear that regardless of the region, Brits enjoy the higher driving position afforded by an SUV. Hatches still get great sales and not just in the cities either. Navigating country roads is easier in a smaller vehicle. This could be part of the reason that the Mini Cooper is still seeing great sales and currently sitting in fifth position for total car sales this year.
Other best selling cars for this year include Kia’s Sportage and Niro. These currently hold 4th and 7th position in new car sales respectively. Given that we’re not quite halfway through the year, and we’re awaiting the arrival of the new Fiesta, it’s anyone’s guess as to which car will claim the title of Britain’s best selling car for 2022.
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