Sales figures from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that a total of 272,610 cars (across all fuel types) were registered in September 2023, compared to 225,269 during the same period last year - a rise of 21%.
Read on to find out which areas of the market are experiencing the biggest growth in what is typically the second-busiest month of the year for new car sales, and the best sellers this year (so far).
: see the models that aced our in-depth lab testsEV sales up, but sales to private buyers down
EV registrations in September 2023 stood at 238,533, representing an increase of 35.8% on the same period last year. However, sales of new EVs to private buyers actually fell by 14.3% year on year.
Looking at all fuel types across the same time periods, PHEVs experienced the biggest growth of registrations (50.9%). Registrations of petrol mild hybrids also saw a sizeable increase (31.8%), with petrol models accounting for over half of all cars registered in September. Diesel models accounted for just 6.9% of sales in September.
Full hybrid models registered a considerable rise of 30.7% year-on-year.
: discover which models score highly for range, safety and reliabilityCommenting on the figures, Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: ‘A bumper September means the new car market remains strong despite economic challenges. However, with tougher EV targets for manufacturers coming into force next year, we need to accelerate the transition, encouraging all motorists to make the switch.
‘The forthcoming Autumn Statement is the perfect opportunity to create the conditions that will deliver the zero emission mobility essential to our shared net zero ambition.’
Most popular new cars in September 2023
These are the five best-selling cars of September 2023, but do we recommend them? Click the links to find out how they fared in our tough lab and road tests.
1. Nissan Qashqai (2021-)
This is the third generation of this popular model and comes with plenty of safety kit. But how does it perform in terms of reliability, efficiency and practicality?
2. Ford Puma (2020-)
The smallest model in Ford’s current range, the Puma is a compact SUV with practical touches.
Interested in buying a car? Our guide explains 3. Kia Sportage (2022-)
The Sportage has proved to be very popular over its life, and the current-generation model is no exception.
4. Ford Kuga (2022-)
Available in petrol, hybrid and PHEV iterations, Ford’s Kuga model aims to be the perfect large SUV regardless which fuel type you prefer.
5. MG ZS (2017-)
MG focuses on offering budget models, so it’s no surprise that its ZS crossover is proving popular. It’s offered in EV and petrol guises, and comes with a seven-year warranty.
Top 10 sellers of September 2023 in full
| Position | Car (click for full review) | 2023 sales (September) | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LINK(https://ift.tt/IXlmGfa, Nissan Qashqai) | 8,565 | £26,908 |
| 2 | LINK(https://ift.tt/oIgWRxc, Ford Puma) | 8,087 | £23,499 |
| 3 | LINK(https://ift.tt/bEC54N8, Kia Sportage*) | 5,739 | £38,289 |
| 4 | LINK(https://ift.tt/QhGzH1T, Ford Kuga) | 4,638 | £31,013 |
| 5 | LINK(https://ift.tt/NZw6u0E, MG ZS**) | 4,613 | £16,491 |
| 6 | LINK(https://ift.tt/p4KAJYQ, Hyundai Tucson) | 4,546 | £29,092 |
| 7 | LINK(https://ift.tt/IzXqyNm, Vauxhall Corsa) | 4,485 | £18,496 |
| 8 | LINK(https://ift.tt/xZbhX28, Volkswagen Polo) | 4,427 | £19,139 |
| 9 | LINK(https://ift.tt/zsGbZWR, Nissan Juke) | 4,411 | £19,923 |
| 10 | MG HS | 4,030 | £23,495 |
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source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/big-drop-in-new-electric-car-sales-to-private-buyers-aJrQL4D3105T