Records of every vehicle currently in use on Britain’s roads have been analysed to find the most popular makes and models of car right now. The annual research by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is called the Motorparc analysis, and is among the largest of its type in the world.
The data shows that the diversity of cars on British roads has increased enormously in just the past decade alone. There has been a 25 percent rise in model ranges since 2007 – and buyers can now pick from a staggering 65,000 individual car specifications.
But despite such choice, some models remain go-to choices for British car buyers. Here, we run through the most popular cars in use on UK roads… and then highlight both Brits’ favourite styles of car, and also our favourite colours.
Records of every vehicle currently in use on Britain’s roads have been analysed to find the most popular makes and models of car right now. The annual research by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is called the Motorparc analysis, and is among the largest of its type in the world.
Here, then, are the cars you’re most likely to see on the road in the UK right now.
10: BMW 3 Series
Number on British roads: 491,388
Straight in at number 10 is the BMW 3 Series. Almost half a million of them are currently in use on British roads, showing the irresistible allure of the premium German car. It’s a frequent best-seller in the new car charts and its sturdy integrity means it’s a long-lived model.
Add in evergreen popularity in the used car arena and you’ve a car that beats many other big-name brands to a top 10 position in the UK’s favourite cars rundown.
9: Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris has been around since the late 1990s and although it’s not the highest-profile model around, a great reputation for reliability, low running costs and practicality ensure it has enduring appeal with British car buyers.
The model range includes a fuel-efficient hybrid, one of the UK’s most popular petrol-electric cars thanks to its sheer affordability.
8: Renault Clio
Number on British roads: 546,808
The Renault Clio celebrated its quarter-century a couple of years back, and it’s been a favourite amongst supermini buyers seeking out a chic all-rounder for decades.
It’s another perennial top-10 new car best-seller, helped by a reputation for impressive equipment levels (many cars from the latest generation, even used ones, have sat nav as standard) and excellent fuel economy.
7: Mini
Since BMW reinvented the Mini in 2001, it’s been an irresistibly appealing small car for hundreds of thousands of Brits. Today, there are more than 600,000 in active use on UK roads, a result that is surely beyond BMW’s wildest expectations.
The new car model range encompasses larger family hatchbacks and SUVs, but the most popular Mini remains the core hatch range, which stretches from fuel-miser diesels right through to track-ready John Cooper Works models.
6: Volkswagen Polo
Number on British roads: 703,311
The Volkswagen Polo is seen as an upmarket supermini choice and, over the years, it’s slowly crept up the UK car popularity charts. There are over 150,000 more Polos in use on British roads than there are Renault Clios, a stat that says it all.
The success of the latest Polo – the current World Urban Car of the Year 2018 – is proof of its ongoing strengths.
5: Vauxhall Astra
There’s a big jump in numbers to the next car in the British popularity list, the Vauxhall Astra. It’s the first car to top the 1 million models in use mark.
It’s not the most exciting of choices, but a solid reputation for integrity, plus the fact it’s the only car in the top 5 to actually be built in Britain, helps improve its fortunes.
4: Volkswagen Golf
Number on British roads: 1,089,975
Just pipping the Vauxhall Astra is the Volkswagen Golf – continuing the long-running VW’s remarkable run right now. For a time in 2017, it was the best-selling new car in the UK overall, and it continues to be a frontrunner month after month.
But while the Golf has firmly toppled the Astra in the family hatchback popularity stakes, how long before it is able to take a run at the Ford Focus..?
3: Vauxhall Corsa
The Vauxhall Corsa is 25 years old in 2018 and it marks this with a secure podium spot in the rundown of Britain’s most popular cars in use.
Over 1.25 million Corsas are registered on UK roads; it’s particularly popular amongst younger motorists.
2: Ford Focus
Number on British roads: 1,401,889
The UK’s most popular family hatchback? Why, the Ford Focus, of course – continuing a front-running position that Ford has commanded for decades (which the Focus took over from the Ford Escort).
The Focus shows no signs of fading either, particularly as the blue oval is now lining up an impressive-looking all-new model for launch this autumn.
1: Ford Fiesta
It’s the UK’s favourite car, by far – the Ford Fiesta is a national treasure that almost 1.6 million motorists have registered in their name right now.
It’s fully deserved. The Fiesta is practical, cheap to run, can be repaired anywhere, will always find a willing buyer ready to pay good money when you sell it on… and for an added bonus, it’s also fantastic to drive. It is a car we should be proud to see in such numbers on our roads: Brits are making the right choice.
