The UK’s best-selling used cars of 2026 so far revealed
Car changing is a big deal
Hatchbacks remain at the top of Britain’s used car sales charts, as the second-hand market returned to growth and demand for electric cars surged.
More than two million used cars were sold in the UK between April and June, with 2,009,318 transactions recorded, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That was 0.7% more than in the same period last year.
It was the first time since 2021 that used car sales in the second quarter of the year topped two million, leaving the market just 1.2% below pre-pandemic levels.
The strong quarter also helped offset a small fall earlier in the year. So far in 2026, 4,025,550 used cars have been sold, up 0.2% on the same point last year.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
The best-selling used cars in the second quarter of the year
The Ford Fiesta tops the list of best-selling used cars, with more than 73,500 transactions recorded in the second quarter of the year. It’s followed by the Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Golf, with over 59,000 and 55,000 transactions respectively.
| Model | Number of sales |
|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta | 73,570 |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 59,247 |
| Volkswagen Golf | 55,786 |
| Ford Focus | 52,283 |
| Volkswagen Polo | 55,786 |
| Mini Cooper | 38,694 |
| Nissan Qashqai | 38,333 |
| BMW 3 Series | 38,104 |
| Vauxhall Astra | 33,935 |
| Audi A3 | 32,614 |
As the table above shows, hatchbacks remain Britain’s most popular used cars, making up eight of the top 10, while ‘superminis’ account for 31.7% of sales in the second quarter.
SUVs are clearly popular in the new car market, and that is also starting to be reflected second-hand with sales up 7.4%.
Used EV sales surge
The latest SMMT data shows that electric cars are making much faster progress in the used market, with sales jumping 67% to 110,761 in the second quarter.
EVs accounted for 5.5% of all used-car sales, up from 3.3% a year earlier – meaning around one in every 18 buyers opted for an electric car.
Sales more than doubled in April, rising 110.9% year on year, followed by growth of 57.6% in May and 37.8% in June.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the return to growth was “good news for motorists”, adding that used EV sales were rising particularly strongly as more choice reaches more buyers.
He also stressed the importance of keeping used cars affordable, saying that “plentiful and affordable supply is vital” for the second-hand market.
Hybrids gain popularity too
Used hybrid sales also rose strongly, increasing 31.2% to 130,825. They now account for 6.5% of the market, up from 5% last year.
Meanwhile, plug-in hybrid sales fell 6.8% to 22,856, according to the SMMT figures.
Petrol remains the clear favourite, despite sales falling 1.2% to 1.12 million. Diesel continued its decline, dropping 7.2% to 620,045.
Together, petrol and diesel cars still made up 86.7% of used-car sales, although the latest figures show buyers are increasingly being given more choice when it comes to electrified cars.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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