Skip advert
Advertisement

Best-selling cars 2015: record year for UK car sales

A closer look at the UK's best-selling new cars in 2015 when a record 2.6m new cars were sold.

Ford Fiesta ST - front cornering

2015 was the best ever year for the UK automotive industry, with over 2.6million new cars registered over the 12 months – the highest number on record. Below you'll find full details on the UK's top 10 best-selling cars over the course of the year.

December registrations continued the trend that had run throughout 2015 and were up 8.4 per cent on the previous year, with over 180,000 new cars registered. The figures round off 2015 as the fourth consecutive year of growing registrations – up 6.3 per cent on 2014. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Most economical cars

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) let us see exactly how many cars were registered each month, and which models are selling particularly well. We've used them to put together this list with the full registration figures for the top 10 models for this year-to-date.

Only in October 2015 did we see a fall in new car registrations, a likely consequence of the VW emissions scandal but as November and December figures show, the market recovered strongly.

Best new car deals 2015

You'll notice a lot of similarities in the top selling models in the UK: most new cars sold aren't sports cars, large SUVs or luxury saloons. Those models are produced in much smaller numbers than the compact family hatchbacks, superminis and crossovers that make up the bulk of car sales in Britain these days.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Scroll down this page to see the top 10 best-selling cars of 2015 so far, with full sales figures and some details on each model.

The top 10 best-selling cars in 2015

The Ford Fiesta has been topping the UK sales charts for a long time now - and it's easy to see why. Whether you go for the entry-level model or the hot Fiesta ST model, it's great fun to drive. It's good value too, and is a practical and handsome supermini that will appeal to all sorts of buyers.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new Vauxhall Corsa has started its life with very strong sales, thanks to low prices and a well-judged revamp. Despite looking similar to the old model, it's better to drive and cheaper to run - buyers are clearly taking notice of the latest Vauxhall supermini.

  •  

    3. Ford Focus – 83,816 registrations in 2015

With its fun handling, practical body style, efficient engines and revised looks, the new Ford Focus is a strong seller in the UK. It's been a top model for Ford for many years and the new version looks set to continue that trend.

Volkswagen Golf hatchback 2013 front static

The Volkswagen Golf needs no introduction, really - it's been around since the 1970s and the latest version is the best yet. It has an upmarket cabin and is comfortable on long journeys, with a huge range of petrol and diesel engines to choose from. It also has one of the most recognisable car names in the UK, which can't hurt sales. What could, however, is the emissions scandal surrounding VW.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Nissan Qashqai is considered by many to be the first modern 'crossover', with SUV styling and hatchback running costs. It's a great car for those needing a practical family runabout. The latest model launched in 2013, and it's having a great year so far in 2015, making it into the top 10 best-selling cars this year-to-date.

Advertisement - Article continues below

VW's Polo supermini is a more grown-up car than its main rival, the Ford Fiesta, offering better ride quality and refinement. It's good on any type of journey and features a wide range of efficient engines, too.

Vauxhall's Ford Focus rival, the Astra, has been around for a while now - but that's not hurting sales. It's a handsome family hatchback, and with the low prices being offered by Vauxhall dealers the Astra has managed to make it into the top 10 best-selling cars 2015.

  •  

    8. Audi A3 – 47,653 registrations in 2015

Audi A3 Sportback front tracking

It might use many of the same parts as the VW Golf, being built on the same platform, but the Audi A3 features a few more upmarket options that bring the price up a bit. It’s a tactic that’s clearly working - buyers are flocking to the upmarket Audi and sending into the top 10 best-sellers.

  •  

    9. MINI - 47,076 registrations in 2015

The MINI has clearly been a sales hit since it hit the roads last year. It's now jumped into the top 10 and knocked the equally retro Fiat 500 out. It's easy to see why it's been so popular, too, with good looks, a great drive and an upmarket interior to match the badge.

Vauxhall Mokka whisper diesel action

The Vauxhall Mokka has been a strong seller since its release in 2012, and it's finally made its way onto this list, knocking out the premium Mercedes C-Class. It's the second crossover in this list, and competes thanks to a great new 'Whisper' diesel engine and a spacious interior.

Have you ever owned one of the UK's best-selling cars? Give us your view of it in the comments section below. Or take our Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars can expect to be paying roughly £10 more per year, a although the biggest gas guzzlers will fare the worst
26 Mar 2024