Whilst this website tends to focus on classic cars we thought you may find it of interest to read that the number of new cars registered here in the UK in April 2024 rose by 1% in comparison to April last year. After all, a large number of classic car owners also just happen to possess a family run around that is used on a daily basis and drive their cherished vehicles on a weekend typically when the weather is fine.

On a monthly basis, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) publish data relating to the number of new cars sold in the UK. So, we thought we would share some of this information with you although more figures can be found on the SMMT website.

It is pleasing to read that the number of new cars sold here in the UK in April 2024 was the 21st month in a row that sales figures have gone up. Whilst a 1% rise may not sound a lot, in the current economic climate, any increase is a welcome one. We are currently going through difficult economic times in the UK so any rise is a positive factor.

In April 2024, there were 134,274 new cars sold compared to 132, 990 in April 2023. It was the fleet sector that saw an increase in percentage terms when comparing April 2024 with April 2023 with a rise of 18.5%. The private and business sectors both saw drops in percentage terms.

The same pattern existed on a year to date basis to April 2024 with 679,822 new cars sold compared to 627,250 for the same period last year. That is a rise of 8.4%. However, it was the fleet sector that propped things up in percentage terms with fleet sales rising by 26.7% when comparing a year to date basis to April 2024 with the same period last year. Again, the private and business sectors both saw reductions in percentage terms.

The sale of various types of new electric cars also rose both when comparing April 2024 with April 2023 and a year to date basis to April 2024 with a year to date basis to April 2023.

The top 3 selling new cars in April 2024 in the UK were: –

1. Ford Puma 4,339
2. Volkswagen Polo 3,413
3. Audi A3 3,010

We do hope that you found the above statistics to be of interest.