Best-selling cars in April: UK favourite beats Jaecoo 7 to top spot

The UK car market saw a sharp recovery in April, with registrations rising by 24% compared to the same month last year – marking the strongest April performance since before the pandemic in 2019.

A total of 149,247 new cars were registered, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), as buyers returned after a sluggish April 2025. That dip was caused by tax changes, which prompted many motorists to bring purchases forward to March to avoid higher costs.

This year’s rebound was felt across the board. Fleet sales led the growth, climbing nearly 27%, while private buyers also returned in force, with registrations up just over 20%.

What were the best-selling cars in April?

April’s new car market saw the Ford Puma return to the top spot with 4,211 sales, reclaiming first place after losing it in March.

March’s surprise leader, the Jaecoo 7, saw a sharp drop in momentum, falling to tenth place with 2,099 sales after a strong debut month.

Meanwhile, the Omoda 5 moved up to sixth place with 2,308 sales, overtaking the Jaecoo 7. The two Chinese models come from separate brands – Omoda and Jaecoo – but both sit under the wider Chery umbrella, which entered the UK market in 2024.

Here are the top 10 models sold in April 2026:

Electric cars hit a milestone

Electric car sales have continued their rapid rise, reaching a major milestone as more than two million have now been registered in the UK. Demand surged by nearly 60% year-on-year in April, giving them a 26.2% share of the market for the month, according to SMMT figures.

More broadly, electrified vehicles – including hybrids and plug-in hybrids – now account for more than half of all new car registrations. Plug-in hybrids saw particularly strong growth, taking a 13.8% market share, while conventional hybrids also gained ground, securing 13.2% of new registrations.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “April’s rebound is welcome, but underlines just how significantly fiscal changes can influence the market. Two million electric car registrations is a considerable milestone to celebrate, although natural demand is still well below the level demanded by the mandate.”

Progress still falls short of targets

Despite this progress, electric car uptake continues to lag behind government targets. So far this year, fully electric cars account for just over 23% of new registrations – well below the level required under the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.

“The mounting cost of compliance threatens to limit consumer choice, overall decarbonisation and the sector’s competitiveness,” said Hawes. “So, the need for a rapid review of the transition to align policy with market realities is unchanged, or Britain’s attractiveness as a vehicle market and manufacturing hub will be put at risk.”

Looking ahead, the overall car market is expected to grow slightly in 2026, with forecasts upgraded to just over two million registrations. However, expectations for electric car uptake have been scaled back after a weaker-than-expected start to the year.

The SMMT said that ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, including the US-Iran conflict, adds further unpredictability to the outlook. It also noted that rising interest in electric cars may be tempered by concerns over inflation, higher energy prices and the resulting impact on the cost of living.

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