Top 10 cars in the UK

Licensed cars in Great Britain at the end of June 2026 (DfT VEH0120), updated 15 Oct 2026. Source: Department for Transport vehicle licensing statistics data files, table VEH0120 (2026 Q2, April to June 2026 release). Cars are ranked by DfT's generic model, which DfT revises with each release. These are cars on the road, not new registrations. This page is refreshed in place as newer DfT figures are published, rather than at a fixed URL for each year.

Overview

The Ford Fiesta is still the most common car on Britain's roads, even though Ford ended Fiesta production in July 2023 after 47 years. The Volkswagen Golf is now second, ahead of the Vauxhall Corsa, because Corsa numbers fell faster (down 7,945 since March, against 1,206 for the Golf). Both sit well clear of the Ford Focus — whose own production run ended in November 2025.

There were 1.23 million licensed Fiestas on the road at the end of June 2026, and the top three cars combined make up around 9% of the 33.8 million licensed cars in Great Britain.

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 1.23 million licensed Fiestas on the road at the end of June 2026 — still comfortably the most common car in Great Britain despite production having stopped. The Fiesta fell by 15,569 since March, down from 1,249,904 to 1,234,335.

No 2: 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 900,000 licensed Golfs on the road at the end of June 2026, making it the second most common car in Great Britain. DfT's Golf figure includes the Golf Plus and Golf SV.

No 3: 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 894,000 licensed Corsas on the road at the end of June 2026, down 7,945 since March, which put it just behind the Golf.

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 843,000 licensed Focuses on the road at the end of June 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 686,000 licensed Qashqais on the road at the end of June 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 June 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 June 2026. DfT's Yaris figure includes the Yaris Cross SUV.

No 8: 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 515,000 licensed Mini Coopers on the road at the end of June 2026. That counts Cooper-badged models only: DfT counts the Mini One and John Cooper Works separately.

No 9: Vauxhall Astra

The Astra remains one of the UK's favourite family cars, though it slipped a place in the ranking between March and June. 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 513,000 licensed Astras on the road at the end of June 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 458,000 licensed 3 Series on the road at the end of June 2026.