When individuals refer to popular cars, they tend to refer to those that are currently selling in the showrooms. However, there is an even more intriguing question: what exactly do UK drivers own and drive on a daily basis?
The shocking answer is that the car that is the best-selling in the UK may not always be the one selling off the dealer lots but rather the car you see parked on your street the most.
The Ford Fiesta has the most number of owners with 1.7 million individuals, which by far is the most popular car in the UK. Although Ford ceased to produce Fiestas in 2023 they are literally all over the road in the UK, indicative that what drivers have tells the story of what they are not getting new.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Ford Fiesta dominates UK roads with 1.7 million owners despite production ending, proving reliability and affordability matter most to British drivers.
- Regional ownership varies dramatically: London averages just 0.73 cars per household while the rural East region reaches 1.40 cars per household.
- Petrol cars still dominate at 59% of UK vehicles, but electric cars grew 39% yearly reaching 1.33 million on roads.
Car Ownership and Car Sales: What You need to Know
Ownership statistics and new car registrations are much different. Sales data will inform you about what has been purchased within the recent past, whereas ownership data will involve the full picture concerning all cars currently in use on the UK roads.
Total Licensed Vehicles in the UK
In the UK, the number of licensed vehicles stood at 42.3 million at the end of June 2025, and the overwhelming majority of them are cars. That is a huge figure, certainly large enough to cover nearly 80% of the Isle of Wight in a heap!
The Rising Average Age of UK Vehicles
The interesting fact here is that the average age of cars currently stands at 9.9 years old compared to 8.5 years in 2019. Vehicles are spending more time on roads. Actually, almost 50% (43.4) of all vehicles are currently aged beyond 10 years.
Why Are Cars Lasting Longer?
Why? Current vehicles have a longer lifespan, and individuals are unable to afford a change every now and then. This implies that the rankings of ownership have been filled with dozens of older models that are no longer being produced, such as the popular Fiesta.
The Most Popular Car in the UK: Ford Fiesta Dominates
The Ford Fiesta is not only popular, it is also completely dominating the market. 1.7 million people in Britain own a Ford Fiesta, and that makes the car the most owned car in the country by far.
A Legacy of Popularity Since 2020
In retrospect, Fiestas were owned by 2.3 million individuals in 2020, indicating that this small hatchback has been the winner over the years. Although it stopped production in 2023, the Fiesta refuses to go off the British roads.
The Fiesta continues to dominate the used car market, with 306,207 used Fiestas sold in 2024, the third in a row with it topping used car sales charts. People obviously enjoy purchasing them second-hand, as they are reliable and have low operation costs.
The Downside of Being Popular: Theft Rates
Interestingly, it is the most stolen car in the UK as well, and this is the price of popularity. When you have one, ensure that you have tightened your security, and if you’re buying a used Ford Fiesta, ensure you get a stolen car check to be sure there’s no hidden agenda.
Top Car Brands by Ownership in the UK
Although the individual models are important, the view of the brands also provides a different picture of the most popular car brands in the UK. It is not only with the Fiesta that Ford leads the ownership listings, but equally with the Focus and other models.
Volkswagen’s Market Share in New Car Sales
The 2024 new car sales (8.52% market share) of Volkswagen demonstrate the dynamics of the popularity of the brand in new sales and total ownership. VW is selling new vehicles by volume, but the decades of presence by Ford mean that there are more Fords on the road in total.
Legacy Brands Dominate Overall Ownership
Legacy brands with long UK histories naturally command higher ownership percentages. Ford, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen have been here forever, building up massive owner bases. Newer brands or those focusing on premium markets have smaller total ownership even if their current sales look impressive.
Top 10 Most Owned Car Models in the UK
Here’s what UK drivers actually own most, based on the latest data:
- Ford Fiesta: 1.7 million owners
- Volkswagen Golf: Up to 1.46 million in use
- Ford Focus: 1.3 million owners
- Vauxhall Corsa: 1.2 million owners
The ownership figures for each of the remaining models are below 1 million owners. These include:
- Vauxhall Astra: Approx. 0.96 million owners (long-time favourite)
- Volkswagen Polo: approx. 0.68 million
- BMW 3 Series: Approx. 0.61 million owners (premium choice)
- Nissan Qashqai: Approx. 0.49 million owners (most popular SUV)
- Mini Cooper: Approx. 150-300k+ owners (British icon)
- Ford Puma: Approx. 55,488 in 2025 alone (UK’s top-selling new car)
Notice something? Superminis and hatchbacks absolutely dominate. These practical, affordable cars suit UK roads perfectly. They’re cheap to run, easy to park, and don’t cost a fortune to insure.
Used Car Sales: Corsa and Golf Performance
In the used market specifically, the Vauxhall Corsa sold 252,761 units in 2024, taking second place behind the Fiesta. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Golf moved 231,440 used units, proving Germans make cars people keep buying even after years of use.
Regional Car Ownership Differences
Car ownership varies massively across the UK depending on where you live. Cities have completely different patterns than rural areas.
How Location Affects Car Ownership
England averages 1.20 cars per household, but that hides huge regional differences. London sits much lower at just 0.73 cars per household because public transport works well there. Why own a car when the Tube, buses, and trains cover everything?
Rural Areas Lead in Car Ownership
The East region tops the charts at 1.40 cars per household, showing rural areas need cars more. Without good public transport, owning a motor becomes essential for getting anywhere.
Car-Free Households Across England
Here’s a shocking stat: 22.4% of English households don’t have any cars. But in London specifically, 42% of households are car-free, nearly half! That’s mental compared to rural areas, where basically everyone owns at least one.
London’s Declining Car Ownership Trend
London car ownership actually dropped 10% between 2003 and 2019, going from 0.82 to 0.74 cars per household. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and improved public transport pushed people away from car ownership in the capital.
Fuel Type Breakdown of Owned Cars
What powers all these cars? Mostly petrol and diesel, though that’s changing fast.
Petrol and Diesel Dominate the Roads, Electric Growth Surges
59% of UK cars run on petrol, while 32% use diesel as of June 2024. That’s 19.3 million petrol cars and 11 million diesel vehicles. These figures saw a decline in 2025.
But the electric type is growing incredibly fast. 1.33 million EVs now drive on UK roads (3.7% of total cars), and that number surged 39% in just one year! That’s massive growth showing people are genuinely switching to electric.
The Truth About Low-Emission Vehicles
However, here’s the reality check: less than 1 million UK cars have low emissions (2.2% of the total), showing most of the fleet still pumps out plenty of CO2. While new EV sales look impressive, the total vehicle population changes slowly because cars last so long now.
Company Fleet vs. Private EV Ownership
Six(6) out of every ten (10) EVs belong to companies rather than private owners, showing fleet buyers are leading the electric revolution while regular people take longer to switch.
Most Popular Car Colours in the UK
Ever wonder what colour most British drivers choose? The data reveals clear favourites.
- Black leads with 7,116,047 cars, making it Britain’s most popular car colour by far. Black looks sleek, hides dirt reasonably well, and works for any car type.
- Silver comes second at 6,382,513 cars, probably because it’s practical and doesn’t show scratches as much.
- Blue rounds out the top three with 6,073,960 cars, offering a bit more personality than boring grey.
British drivers clearly prefer neutral, safe colours over bright ones. You won’t see many lime green or hot pink cars around.
Smart Car Buying: Why Vehicle History Checks Matter
With millions of used cars changing hands every year, buying smart means doing proper homework. The used car market is massive, but it’s full of potential problems if you’re not careful.
How Smart Car Check Help
This is where Smart Car Check becomes incredibly valuable. Before you hand over thousands of pounds for any used car, especially popular models like the Fiesta or Corsa where there’s loads of choice, you absolutely must run a comprehensive vehicle history check.
What Vehicle Information is Revealed?
Smart Car Check provides detailed reports revealing everything important about a car’s past, such as detailed vehicle specs, outstanding finance, write-off records, stolen records, mileage discrepancies, MOT history, ownership records, high-risk records, and more.
Get a Check or Pay the Price
A full number plate check costs way less than buying a dodgy car with hidden problems. With so many Fiestas, Corsas, and Golfs on the market, checking car history separates the good ones from the disasters. It’s simple protection giving you confidence before committing your cash.
Conclusion on the Most Popular Car in the UK
The Ford Fiesta remains the most popular car in the UK by ownership, with 1.7 million British drivers trusting this practical hatchback. The most popular car brands in the UK show Ford’s decades of dominance, though Volkswagen, Vauxhall, and others maintain strong positions too.
Also, we’re in a transition period where petrol and diesel still dominate overall numbers, but EVs are catching up fast in new sales. Within ten years, the ownership rankings will look completely different as electric cars flood in.
If you’re shopping for a new or used car, always run a full car history check before buying. With this, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting, ensuring there’s no nasty surprises later.
FAQ About the Most Popular Cars in the UK
What is the most sold car in the UK ever?
Since its production in 1976, the Ford Fiesta has been the best-selling car in the UK with over 4.8 million units sold. This is followed by the Ford Escort and Vauxhall Corsa.
Which brands are the most popular car brands in the UK?
Volkswagen is the number one brand by total sales with models like the Golf and Tiguan showing strong performance. In 2025, BMW came second, Ford took the third position, with the likes of Kia and Audi lining up behind.
Which car model is the overall best-selling in the UK?
According to January 2026 data, the Ford Puma is the overall best-selling car model in the UK for the whole year 2025. This makes it the third consecutive year of being the most popular.Â
