Best-selling cars in October revealed: Jaecoo 7 retains top spot

Chinese SUV the Jaecoo 7 has retained its position as the UK’s best-selling car for a second consecutive month, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Electric cars also continued to gain ground, accounting for 32% of all new registrations in October. Plug-in hybrid registrations also saw a significant increase, rising by 30.1% year-on-year, while petrol car registrations fell by 11.6%.

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.

What were the best-selling cars in October 2026?

The SMMT figures show that the Jaecoo 7 was the UK’s best-selling new car in October, with more than 3,400 registrations. It’s the second consecutive month that the Chinese SUV has topped the sales charts, having knocked the Ford Puma off the top spot in September.

Close behind, however, is the Ford Puma, with more than 3,300 registrations. Meanwhile, the familiar Volkswagen Golf has climbed the sales charts to secure third place, with more than 2,600 registrations in October.

Here are the top 10 models sold in October 2026:

New car registrations grew by 5.4% year-on-year in October, marking the 11th consecutive month of growth. However, this represents around half the growth rate recorded over the first 10 months of 2026, following September’s bumper figures after the latest number plate change.

Electric cars continue to grow

Electric cars enjoyed a particularly strong month in October, with registrations climbing by 32.7% year-on-year.

With almost one in three new cars now electric, more drivers are making the switch than ever. Rising petrol prices may be encouraging more people to consider going electric, while increasingly affordable EVs are making the move an easier choice for many households.

However, despite billions of pounds in incentives, including the electric car grant, EV sales are still expected to fall short of the government’s ZEV mandate targets. The latest market outlook predicts a 27.2% market share this year against a 33% target, widening to 37.5% against a 52% target by 2028.

The industry is therefore calling on the government to make meaningful changes to the ZEV mandate, including revising targets to better reflect consumer demand and providing greater flexibility to help manufacturers meet the remaining requirements.

The latest figures also show that neither the Tesla Model 3 nor Model Y featured in October’s top 10 best-selling electric cars despite claiming the top two spots the previous month. The Skoda Enyaq took the top spot, followed by the Mini Countryman Electric in second and the Jaecoo E5 in third.

Here are the top 10 best-selling electric cars in October 2026:

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.

Click here to follow us on WhatsApp, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.