SMMT Data Reveals A Significant Shift in Buying Trends
In just one month there has been a shift in buying habits when it comes to UK new vehicle registrations due to the crisis in the Middle East and soaring petrol and diesel prices at the pumps.
If you’re finding it painful filling up, head over to our fuel saver tips article.
Last month we reported a significant drop in vehicle manufacturing trends which is raising many eyebrows in the industry.
However, in March 2026 overall registrations stood at 380,627 cars with March 2025 showing 357,103 cars. This represents signs of recovery as new vehicle registrations rose 6.59% year on year.
But according to the SMMT the industry is calling for an urgent review of the transition as the Middle East crisis threatens consumer confidence. The graph below illustrates how consumer confidence hasn’t recovered from all-time highs 9 years ago.
And with the SMMT reporting a shift away from pure petrol and diesel cars - with combined market share falling to 48.5% - confidence in new energy vehicles such as battery electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrids, needs significant strengthening.
March Registrations 2010 to 2026
Vehicle Registrations
Petrol registrations fell 6.6% in one month with diesel registrations collapsing 11.4%. Diesel now accounts for just 4.9% market share whereas 10 years ago diesel registrations account for nearly 50% market share.
With a shift from petrol and diesel cars, inevitably electric cars and hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars gained the most.
Petrol registrations still take number one spot in market share at 43.6%, but they have declined by 6.6%.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) registrations rose 24.2% taking 2nd place in market share at 22.4%, but well below the ZEV mandate of 33%.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Cars (PHEV) took third place with a 46.9% increase in registrations taking 3rd sport in market share at 15.8%.
Hybrid Electric Cars (HEV) accounted for 13% of market share increasing their registrations by 7.3% in March 2026, taking 4th place.
In last place, diesel registrations collapsed 11.4% to take just 4.9% market share, perhaps being replaced by a mix of new energy vehicles.
SMMT March 2026 New Vehicle Registration Data
Vehicle Registration Mix
Buying habits are also changing with the SMMT reporting an uplift in private purchases by 10.9% year-on-year, but more telling is a trending pattern where private purchases have risen by 9.9% in the first quarter of 2026, now accounting for 42.6% market share.
However, fleet registrations, which are leased, or contract hire cars, company cars and motability-based leases, increased a modest 3.5%, taking the largest share at 54.9%.
Business registrations, which are companies or organisations that operate a fleet of up to 24 vehicles, increased by a huge 18.8% in March 2026, however, they only account for 2.4% market share, up from 2.2% a year ago.
Registration Mix March 2026
Winners
Jaecoo, a brand that only entered the U.K. in January 2025 has taken number one spot with its mid-sized Jaecoo 7 SUV, offered as a petrol, hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
Jaecoo claims that it’s their premium SUV despite having a starting price of £29,210 for the hybrid - and offered in front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive - it undercuts rivals from well-established brands by a large margin.
Close behind is the Ford Puma, again not distinguishing between powertrains so petrol, hybrid and EV models will make up the mix taking second spot for year-on-year registrations, but number one spot for year-to-date, with the Jaecoo 7 in 2nd and closely behind the Puma.
In third place is the ever-popular Nissan Qashqai, a staple for U.K. car consumers for many years for March 2026 registrations. The Qashqai takes 4th spot behind the Kia Sportage for year-to-date registrations.
The only pure electric car to be in the top 10 is the Tesla Model Y, perhaps helped by new lower cost entry versions that Jim has recently tested.
Top Selling Models March 2026 and Year-to-Date
Despite the trend for new car registrations increasing, 2026 is turning out to be a year that is hard to predict with the sudden shift in attention to new energy vehicles where the first two months were not so favourable to BEVs.
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb or YouTube @REV-EV.