Overview
The Ford Fiesta is still the most common car on UK roads, even though Ford ended Fiesta production in July 2023 after 47 years. It is now followed by the Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Golf, both of which have overtaken the Ford Focus — whose own production run ended in November 2025 — since the rankings were last checked.
There were 1.25 million licensed Fiestas on the road at the end of March 2026, and the top three cars combined make up around 9% of the 33.5 million licensed cars in Great Britain.
Licensed cars in Great Britain, end of March 2026
- No 1: Ford Fiesta
- 1.25 million on the road
- No 2: Vauxhall Corsa
- 902,000 on the road
- No 3: Volkswagen Golf
- 901,000 on the road
- No 4: Ford Focus
- 857,000 on the road
- No 5: Nissan Qashqai
- 684,000 on the road
- No 6: Volkswagen Polo
- 664,000 on the road
- No 7: Toyota Yaris
- 575,000 on the road
- No 8: Vauxhall Astra
- 527,000 on the road
- No 9: Mini Cooper
- 497,000 on the road
- No 10: BMW 3 Series
- 449,000 on the road
No 1: Ford Fiesta
The ever-popular supermini was built from 1976 until Ford ended production in July 2023, closing out its seventh generation (produced since 2017) after more than 20 million units worldwide. Since 2014 it has held the record of the UK's best-selling car of all time.
There were 1.25 million licensed Fiestas on the road at the end of March 2026 — still comfortably the most common car in Great Britain despite production having stopped.
No 2: Vauxhall Corsa
Vauxhall's popular supermini has been with us since 1994 (and even earlier as the Nova since 1982). The current, sixth-generation Corsa has been on sale since 2019 and continues to be popular for its low running costs and its "nippy" performance in an urban environment.
There were 902,000 licensed Corsas on the road at the end of March 2026.
No 3: Volkswagen Golf
The legendary Golf is the first Volkswagen on our list. Winner of multiple World and European Car of the Year awards since the first generation appeared in 1974, it is currently in its eighth generation, on sale since 2019, and remains a popular sporty compact and a highpoint of German automotive engineering.
There were 901,000 licensed Golfs on the road at the end of March 2026, making it the third most common car in Great Britain.
No 4: Ford Focus
Ford's compact was a regular feature on our roads from 1999 until production ended in November 2025 after 27 years, in its fourth generation (on sale since 2018). It remains a popular choice on the used market in both its hatchback and estate configurations.
There were 857,000 licensed Focuses on the road at the end of March 2026.
No 5: Nissan Qashqai
The most popular compact SUV on the road today. The current, third generation has been on sale since 2021 and is competitively priced compared to its rivals, benefiting from Nissan's reputation for reliability and low running costs for an SUV.
There were 684,000 licensed Qashqais on the road at the end of March 2026.
No 6: Volkswagen Polo
The supermini smaller brother of the Golf continues to remain popular with car buyers. The current, sixth generation has been on sale since 2017 and tends towards being a more economical Golf than a distinct model in its own right.
There were 664,000 licensed Polos on the road at the end of March 2026.
No 7: Toyota Yaris
The Yaris continues to be popular amongst buyers looking for a competitively priced supermini with low running costs. Now in its fourth generation (on sale since 2020), hybrid Yarises have become the mainstream option.
There were 575,000 licensed Yarises on the road at the end of March 2026.
No 8: Vauxhall Astra
The Astra has held on to its position as one of the UK's favourite family cars. The current "Astra L" generation has been on sale since 2021, and the model is also a firm favourite amongst the police, with many forces continuing to use it as a patrol car.
There were 527,000 licensed Astras on the road at the end of March 2026.
No 9: Mini Cooper
The supermini has been a firm favourite since its 2000 launch, inspired by the legendary original Mini which appeared in 1959. A new generation arrived in 2024, combining sporty looks with solid fuel economy and performance, alongside the model's first fully electric variants.
There were 497,000 licensed Minis on the road at the end of March 2026.
No 10: BMW 3 Series
The first executive car on the top 10 list, the 3 Series is BMW's best selling model and has been with us since the first generation in 1975. The current, seventh generation has been on sale since 2018, combining mean looks with road performance.
There were 449,000 licensed 3 Series on the road at the end of March 2026.
