The bestselling new car in the UK in 2022 was the Nissan Qashqai, followed by the Vauxhall Corsa and electric Tesla Model Y. On the used car market, the Ford Fiesta took top spot in 2022, followed by the Corsa and Volkswagen Golf.
The Most Popular Cars in the UK in 2022
- Why Car Sales Matter for the UK
- New Car Sales in the UK in 2022
- The 10 Best-Selling New Cars in the UK in 2022
- Used Car Sales in the UK in 2022
- The 10 Best-Selling Used Cars in the UK 2022
Why Car Sales Matter for the UK
Car sales are big business in the UK. Not only do we still employ thousands of workers in car factories across the country, but many British companies supply parts to those factories too, as well as factories abroad.
But it isn’t just the manufacture of cars that’s important; it’s also the sale, servicing and repair of them. In fact, in 2022 more than 860,000 people all told worked in all of the various different automotive sectors across Britain – so the state of the car market has a big impact on the UK economy.
New Car Sales in the UK in 2022
Sales of new cars took a bit of a beating in 2022. There were a couple of reasons for this, and chief among them was the worldwide shortage of electronic components such as computer chips, or semiconductors.
The reason for this can be traced back to the pandemic. When the first lockdowns took hold in 2020, car factories ground to a halt. However, demand for electronic devices like TVs, phones and gaming consoles increased, so computer chip producers that had previously been supplying car manufacturers switched their supply to electronics firms instead.
When demand for new cars returned, the component manufacturers still faced high demand from their other customers as well. As a result, they simply couldn’t make these electronic components fast enough to meet the demand.
As a result, many car makers could only make cars as quickly as they could get hold of the chips to put in them. That slowed production down, and consequently caused a problem with supply, and as a result, longer waiting lists for customers wanting to order new cars.
At the same time, car factories, parts suppliers and dealers alike were dogged by staff absences, either due to Covid-19 itself or as employees had to self-isolate due to close contacts with people who have tested positive, which forced them to halt or slow production. All of these stoppages combined put considerable strain on the supply chain.
The results in the new car sales charts are plain to see. While sales in 2021 were up compared with the 2020, that's to be expected given showrooms weren’t even open for large parts of 2020. In 2022 they dropped slightly again year-on-year finishing at 1.61m cars, which was -2% down on 2021, and the lowest figure recorded in 30 years.
The year did at least end positively, with five consecutive months of year-over-year growth.
The 10 Best-Selling New Cars in the UK in 2022
1. Nissan Qashqai
Full year new sales: 42,704
The Qashqai was one of the first crossovers to really capture the imagine of buyers, with its combination of SUV style and hatchback-like running costs leading to dozens of copy cats. The latest model is proving to be a very popular choice, and is available with a range of efficient powertrains including an E-Power hybrid.
Nissan Qashqai Review
Nissan Qashqai For Sale
2. Vauxhall Corsa
Full year new sales: 35,910
The Corsa was the bestselling new car in the UK in 2021, and remained in a strong position in the sales charts in 2022. Tempting finance deals and smart looks have helped the Corsa’s popularity along, and an all-electric variant has doubtless broadened its appeal too.
Vauxhall Corsa Review
Vauxhall Corsa For Sale
3. Tesla Model Y
Full year new sales: 35,551
Think of the Model Y as a taller and more SUV-like version of the hugely popular Model 3. It arrived on sale in the UK in 2022 alongside a whole host of other electric SUVs, and has instantly won the attention of buyers for its combination of performance, practicality, and access to Tesla's Supercharger network. It was the UK's bestselling car in December 2022, outselling its nearest rival (the Tesla Model 3) by almost two-to-one.
Tesla Model Y Review
Search for a Tesla Model Y
4. Ford Puma
Full year new sales: 35,088
We love the Ford Puma for its clever boot and excellent road manners. And it seems buyers are fans, too, which is all the more impressive when you remember the Puma only comes in high-spec versions with high-tech mild hybrid engines – there’s no affordable entry-level model.
Ford Puma Review
Ford Puma For Sale
5. MINI
Full year new sales: 32,387
The MINI brand has thrived under BMW ownership, and this latest model is no exception. As with previous BMW MINIs, the range runs from a basic petrol model all the way up to hot hatches such as the Cooper S JCW. Plus there's a fully electric MINI to appeal to those wanting an EV version of one of the UK’s most popular superminis.
MINI Review
MINI For Sale
6. Kia Sportage
Full year new sales: 29,655
A long warranty, a spacious interior, keen finance deals and generous equipment levels have helped the Sportage to its place as one of Britain’s favourite family SUVs. At the beginning of 2022 it was the country's bestselling model overall, and even by the end of the year it remained a strong performer. It's a very worthy rival to the likes of the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai.
Kia Sportage Mk5 Review
Kia Sportage For Sale
7. Hyundai Tucson
Full year new sales: 27,839
The latest Tucson not only delivers on the good value and long warranty fronts of its predecessors, but it also features striking design, plenty of tech, and a wide range of powertrains. Crucially these include mild hybrid, self-charging hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. It also happens to be one of the most spacious and practical cars in its class.
Hyundai Tucson Review
Hyundai Tucson For Sale
8. Volkswagen Golf
Full year new sales: 26,558
The arrival of the eighth-generation version in 2020 did little to dent Britain’s enthusiasm for the Golf; indeed, it seems buyers love the flashy touch-sensitive interior and lengthy equipment lists of this latest model. As ever with the Golf, the range includes models for almost every taste, from the basic 1.0-litre petrol hatchback, to diesel estates, and the GTI and R hot hatches.
Volkswagen Golf Review
Volkswagen Golf For Sale
9. Ford Kuga
Full year new sales: 26,549
The Kuga's presence in the list of 2022's bestsellers is yet more proof that British car-buyers love SUVs. This mid-size model now outsells both the Focus and Fiesta, helped by the availability of a plug-in hybrid version with potentially very low running costs. The Kuga is also one of the more engaging SUV crossovers in its class to drive, thanks to its well sorted ride and handling.
Ford Kuga Review
Ford Kuga For Sale
10. Ford Fiesta
Full year new sales: 25,070
In years gone by, the Ford Fiesta remained resolutely fixed to the number one spot in this chart. How times have changed. By the end of 2022, Ford's famous supermini only just scraped into the chart at all, and was absent for much of the year. Although the latest model is a corker, it just doesn't fit with what buyers want – namely SUVs, crossovers, and electric cars. As such, Ford is not only putting more effort into big-selling crossovers such as the Puma and Kuga, but it is ending Fiesta production entirely in 2023.
Ford Fiesta Review
Ford Fiesta For Sale
Used Car Sales in the UK in 2022
There are two sides to every coin, and the story of used car sales in the UK is the heads to new car sales’ tails. In 2021 and early 2022 there was a boom in demand for used cars, which was for the most part driven by buyers’ inability to get hold of new cars.
The reason was simple: most new cars are sold using finance packages or leased these days. When those finance or lease deals come to an end, customers opting not to pay their balloon payments (or lessees, who have no choice), must give their cars back.
The trouble was, in 2021 and 2022 these customers were finding there was a long wait to get hold of a replacement. So, rather than go without a car for all that time, they turned to the used car market – either to source a cheap banger in the interim, or to take out a new finance or lease deal on a nearly-new car.
The result was that used car transactions in 2021 were +11.5% up on 2020, with 7,530,956 units registered, despite a final quarter of the year that was slower than in 2020. Moving on to 2022 and things didn't get any better; used car registrations in the UK were -8.5% compared with 2021, at 6,890,777 units.
As with the new car market, demand for used electric vehicles continued to increase, with 71,071 registrations throughout 2022 representing year-over-year growth of 37.5%. Despite this, petrol and diesel models still accounted for 95.9% of used car sales in 2022.
The reason for this struggle is partly because the used car market faces its own supply issues. The used market is fed by the new, with buyers part-exchanging their old cars in favour of younger, fresher models.
Among buyers who own their cars outright, however, fewer headed to showrooms as a result of the long waiting lists, while some buyers on finance deals choose to pay their balloon payments and keep their cars instead of changing them.
That meant fewer cars were part-exchanged at dealers, which in turn meant less stock for the used market. Combined with the increased number of buyers seeking to buy used, that caused demand to outstrip supply, with the result that many used car values actually increased in 2021 and 2022 – a relatively unheard-of phenomenon.
The 10 Best-Selling Used Cars in the UK 2022
1. Ford Fiesta
Used sales in 2022: 288,639
It might have fallen from the new car charts, but in used car terms the Fiesta is king of the hill. It’s great value, great to drive, cheap to run, spacious and good-looking – and given its ubiquity, it isn’t hard to find a nice example to call your own.
Ford Fiesta Review
Ford Fiesta For Sale
2. Vauxhall Corsa
Used sales in 2022: 229,454
No matter which generation of Corsa you’re looking at, it’s a seriously good value small car, with a solid-feeling interior and lots of equipment. That’s especially true if you go for one of the many special editions that are available. No wonder buyers love it.
Vauxhall Corsa Review
Vauxhall Corsa For Sale
3. Volkswagen Golf
Used sales in 2022: 216,227
The VW Golf is one of Britain’s best-known cars, and not for no reason; its combination of efficiency, comfort and quality makes it extremely desirable on the used market. Buyers also love the wide range of engine options, while the hot GTI blends usability and driving fun seamlessly.
Volkswagen Golf Review
Volkswagen Golf For Sale
4. Ford Focus
Used sales in 2022: 213,821
The Focus’s excellent blend of ride and handling make it brilliant to drive, but that isn’t the only reason it’s popular with used car buyers. There’s plenty of choice simply because there are so many Focuses on the market, and that ubiquity also means cheap prices.
Ford Focus Review
Ford Focus For Sale
5. Vauxhall Astra
Used sales in 2022: 165,011
Used car buyers often seek out bargains – and the Vauxhall Astra is just one of those. With low used values, you get a lot of car for your cash with an Astra, and the latest model is good to drive, spacious and well equipped.
Vauxhall Astra Review
Vauxhall Astra For Sale
6. MINI
Used sales in 2022: 158,710
There’s a MINI on every street corner, or so it seems – it’s the perfect car for small car buyers after something fun and fashionable, with a bit more personality than the norm. And with a huge choice of colours, decals, and special editions, there’s a MINI for every mood.
MINI Review
MINI For Sale
7. BMW 3 Series
Used sales in 2022: 155,264
The BMW 3 Series practically invented the concept of the sports saloon with an upmarket badge, and these days its superb handling and beautifully finished interior makes it the most sought-after of the breed, whether you’re spending £2,000 or £20,000.
BMW 3 Series Review
BMW 3 Series For Sale
8. Volkswagen Polo
Used sales in 2022: 137,517
It’s a rare occasion that the Volkswagen Polo doesn’t feature somewhere in this top ten – it’s one of the classiest small cars out there, and its big-car feel is something buyers really value.
Volkswagen Polo Review
Volkswagen Polo For Sale
9. Audi A3
Used sales in 2022: 114,801
Buyers looking for a quality family hatchback seem to love the Audi A3. And can you blame them? Its winning blend of quality, fine driving manners and smart styling make it incredibly desirable – and used values aren’t quite as steep as you might expect relative to other cars of the same size and performance. In November 2021, CarGurus also named the Audi A3 as the best used family car you can buy.
Audi A3 Review
Audi A3 For Sale
10. BMW 1 Series
Used sales in 2022: 112,312
The 1 Series might be the smallest BMW-badged model, but it's still a big-hitter in terms of sales. The latest model, launched in 2020, moved away from BMW's traditionally favoured rear-wheel-drive layout in favour of a more conventional front-wheel-drive setup. Among other things this helps to libeate more interior space, which combined with a high quality interior and a strong engine range makes for a great buy, new or used.
BMW 1 Series Review
Search for a used BMW 1 Series on CarGurus