Car ownership in the UK hits an all-time high
April 12, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
The number of vehicles on UK roads has hit a record 41.9 million, up 1.4% in the past year, new figures show.
Among those are more than 1.3 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs), marking a major milestone in the country’s shift toward greener transport, according to new Motorparc data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Here’s a breakdown of the state of the UK car market in 2024 based on the SMMT data.
EV growth accelerates
Electric cars are now firmly in the mainstream. The number of EVs on the road has surged by nearly 39% in just one year, pushing the total to 1.33 million, or 3.7% of all cars in use. When plug-in hybrids are included, low-emission plug-in vehicles now make up one in every 20 vehicles.
This rapid rise is being fuelled by manufacturer discounts, growing model choices, and continued demand from company fleets – six in 10 EVs are currently company-owned.
There’s still an appetite for older cars
Despite growth in new registrations – nearly 2 million new cars were sold in 2024 – the average age of a car on UK roads has crept up again to 9.5 years, compared to just 8 years in 2019. Nearly half of all vehicles (43.4%) are now over 10 years old, meaning many still pre-date the cleaner Euro 6 emissions standards.
The trend suggests many drivers are holding onto their cars longer, likely due to the cost of living and uncertainty in the secondhand market. However, some experts warn this could slow the shift to greener transport, with growing calls for stronger consumer incentives to speed up the switch to EVs.
Vans, buses – and Scooby-Doo?
It’s not just cars hitting records. Vans have surged to 5.1 million, the highest number ever – 1 million more than in 2015 – as businesses continue to rely on them for deliveries and services. Electric van numbers also jumped by 32%, now making up 1.6% of the total van fleet.
Meanwhile, the UK’s bus fleet is at a historic low, dropping to 71,718 vehicles. However, there’s good news: zero-emission buses soared by nearly 82%, now accounting for almost 5% of the total.
For those curious about colour choices, white is now the most common bus colour – not red. Black is still a firm favourite for cars. And the most popular van colour? Still white, with over 2.7 million. But there are also 372,993 blue vans – perfect for any Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine fans.
Here are the top 10 car colours in 2024:
| Rank | Colour | No. of Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black | 7,322,094 |
| 2 | Grey | 6,586,180 |
| 3 | Blue | 5,921,910 |
| 4 | White | 5,700,300 |
| 5 | Silver | 4,913,451 |
| 6 | Red | 3,747,635 |
| 7 | Green | 660,245 |
| 8 | Orange | 284,021 |
| 9 | Brown | 201,636 |
| 10 | Yellow | 200,109 |
How are we driving?
Brits are also shifting how they drive. Automatic transmissions rose by 9.5%, driven largely by EV uptake, while manuals fell by 2.6%. Petrol still dominates, powering 58% of cars, while diesel continues to decline, now making up just 32% – its fifth straight year of losses.
Regional and demographic trends
The South East and London remain car hotspots, home to nearly 9 million vehicles, including the largest concentration of EVs. Women now account for 35.1% of all car registrations, with female ownership growing steadily over the past five years.
For the most popular cars in the UK? Though production was discontinued in 2023, the Ford Fiesta leads the way with up to 1.46 million in use, followed by the Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Focus, VW Golf, and VW Polo.
| Rank | Car model | No. of vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Fiesta | 1,435,239 |
| 2 | Vauxhall Corsa | 1,020,306 |
| 3 | Ford Focus | 1,004,123 |
| 4 | Volkswagen Golf | 995,753 |
| 5 | Volkswagen Polo | 717,372 |
| 6 | Nissan Qashqai | 702,050 |
| 7 | Mini | 688,959 |
| 8 | Vauxhall Astra | 667,524 |
| 9 | Toyota Yaris | 533,755 |
| 10 | Audi A3 | 523,399 |
What it all means for you
The UK’s growing car fleet reflects a complex picture. On one hand, EV ownership is booming and emissions are slowly falling. On the other, cars are getting older, and many drivers still face high upfront costs to switch to cleaner options.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes sums it up: “Britain’s vehicle parc is growing, providing essential mobility while reducing environmental impact. But to go further, we need better incentives and stronger infrastructure to help drivers replace older, higher-emission cars with zero-emission alternatives.”
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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