Best-selling cars in August revealed: UK favourite continues reign as Tesla knocks retro-style hatchback off EV top spot
Car changing is a big deal
The Ford Puma remains at the top of the UK sales chart as new car registrations rose 13.7% in August. The Tesla Model 3 also took the EV sales crown, with electric cars accounting for almost three in every 10 registrations.
Britain’s UK market continued its strong run in August, with 94,236 new cars registered, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Registrations were up 13.7% compared with August last year, marking the market’s ninth consecutive month of growth and the strongest August since the introduction of the twice-yearly number plate change back in the early 2000s.
However, August is traditionally a quieter month for car sales, with many buyers choosing to wait for September and the arrival of a new number plate. Now that the September plate change has taken place, the market is likely to become considerably busier in the coming weeks.
The SMMT figures also showed that fleet registrations rose 10.1%, while private sales were up 19%. Business registrations also increased, rising 14.5%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT’s chief executive, said: “August was a bright spot for the new car market and another strong month for electric car uptake, showing that motorists are responding to the huge choice and compelling offers available. But August is a low-volume month, so September will be the acid test.”
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What were the best-selling cars in August?
The Ford Puma remains the UK’s best-selling new car, with 2,795 models registered in August. It was followed by the Chinese-made Jaecoo 7, which recorded 2,022 new registrations.
The biggest surprise, however, is the continued rise of Jaecoo. The fast-growing Chinese brand now has two models in the UK’s top 10, with both the Jaecoo 7 and Jaecoo 5 securing places on the bestseller list.
The Jaecoo 7 claimed second place with 2,022 registrations, while the Jaecoo 5 was the fourth best-selling car in August, with 1,670 registrations.
It’s a sign of just how quickly new entrants are making their mark on the British car market.
Here are the top 10 models sold in August 2026:
| Model | Number of sales |
|---|---|
| Ford Puma | 2,795 |
| Jaecoo 7 | 2,022 |
| MG HS | 1,785 |
| Jaecoo 5 | 1,670 |
| Kia Sportage | 1,531 |
| Omoda 5 | 1,465 |
| Mini Cooper | 1,372 |
| Ford Kuga | 1,347 |
| Mercedes CLA | 1,333 |
| Vauxhall Frontera | 1,331 |
Electric cars continue to grow
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 29.8% of new car registrations in August, with registrations up 27.7% year-on-year, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The Tesla Model 3 was the UK’s best-selling electric car in August, with 1,296 new registrations, taking the top spot from the Renault 5. The Renault 5 slipped to eighth place, with 736 registrations during the month.
Here are the top 10 best-selling electric cars in August 2026:
| Model | Number of sales |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 1,296 |
| Tesla Model Y | 884 |
| Vauxhall Frontera | 875 |
| Jaecoo E5 | 855 |
| Mercedes CLA | 821 |
| Skoda Enyaq | 807 |
| Skoda Elroq | 805 |
| Renault 5 | 736 |
| Kia EV3 | 735 |
| Audi Q6 e-Tron | 603 |
Plug-in hybrids recorded the strongest growth among the major powertrains, with registrations up 39.8% and accounting for 14.5% of the market. Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) registrations also rose 26.3%, giving them a 12.7% market share.
Petrol was the only major powertrain to see registrations fall, down 3.5% year-on-year.
There are now more than 170 zero-emission models available, while manufacturers are offering incentives and discounts to attract buyers.
September now remains a focus
Electric cars accounted for 25.6% of registrations in the first eight months of 2026, below the government’s 33% headline target under the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate.
The SMMT says says manufacturers are working hard to increase EV sales but wants targets to reflect consumer demand. It has welcomed the government’s decision to review the mandate.
Hawes explained: “The industry is doing everything it can to help drivers switch, but mandate targets must be grounded in the reality of demand.
“The government’s review is the right move so we can ensure the transition is kept on track, consumer choice protected and the jobs and investment necessary to deliver net zero and economic growth are safeguarded.”
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