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March is always a big month for the UK car market. The arrival of the new 26 registration plate traditionally brings a surge of buyers eager to get behind the wheel of a brand-new vehicle with the latest number plate.
But while many car buyers are drawn to the new registration itself, another opportunity often appears at the same time. Dealers and manufacturers compete heavily for March registrations, and targets are set. This means significant discounts on brand-new cars can appear across the market.
Looking at current deals on AutoTrader* for vehicles available to buy on the March 2026 plate, some models are showing surprisingly large reductions compared with their official list price. 
In some cases, the discounts exceed 40% off the recommended retail price (RRP).
Best New Car Deals UK (March 2026 – 26 Plate Offers)
If you're searching for the best new car deals in the UK right now, the arrival of the March 2026 registration has triggered large discounts across a wide range of manufacturers.
Some of the biggest deals currently available include:
- Honda e:Ny1 – £18,750 discount (43% off)
- Vauxhall Mokka Electric – £14,935 discount (42.7% off)
- Citroen E-SpaceTourer – £15,296 discount (39.9% off)
- Dacia Spring – £6,647 discount (39.9% off)
- Peugeot E-208 – £11,120 discount (35.9% off)
These deals highlight how competitive the UK car market has become, particularly for electric vehicles, where manufacturers are offering large incentives to attract buyers.
The Biggest Discounts on 26 Plate Cars
Several models stand out for the size of their price reductions.
| Model | RRP | Discount | Sale Price | % Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda e:Ny1 | £43,590 | £18,750 | £24,840 | 43.01% |
| Vauxhall Mokka Electric | £34,930 | £14,935 | £19,995 | 42.76% |
| Citroen E-SpaceTourer | £38,295 | £15,296 | £22,999 | 39.94% |
| Dacia Spring | £16,645 | £6,647 | £9,998 | 39.93% |
| Peugeot E-208 | £30,920 | £11,120 | £19,800 | 35.96% |
| CUPRA Tavascan | £47,350 | £16,355 | £30,995 | 34.54% |
| SEAT Arona FR | £27,015 | £9,035 | £17,980 | 33.44% |
| MG MGS5 | £34,290 | £10,791 | £23,499 | 31.47% |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | £50,815 | £15,820 | £34,995 | 31.13% |
| Fiat 600e | £30,594 | £8,604 | £21,990 | 28.12% |
These discounts demonstrate just how aggressive pricing has become across the new car market.
Electric Cars Are Seeing the Biggest Savings
A clear pattern emerges when looking at the data. Most of the largest discounts currently appear on electric vehicles.
Examples include:
- CUPRA Tavascan – £16,355 off (34.54%)
- Ford Mustang Mach-E – £15,820 off (31.13%)
- MG MGS5 – £10,791 off (31.47%)
- Fiat 600e – £8,604 off (28.12%)
Even premium EVs are being discounted heavily. The BMW i5, for example, currently shows a reduction of £17,605, bringing the price down from £77,595 to £59,990.
Manufacturers are pushing electric sales strongly in the UK, and this competition is resulting in some of the largest discounts buyers have seen in years.
Cheapest Electric Cars in the UK (2026 Deals Under £25,000)
Another notable trend is how discounts are pushing some electric cars into much more affordable price brackets.
| Model | Original RRP | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dacia Spring | £16,645 | £9,998 |
| Peugeot E-208 | £30,920 | £19,800 |
| Vauxhall Mokka Electric | £34,930 | £19,995 |
| Honda e:Ny1 | £43,590 | £24,840 |
| BYD Atto 3 | £33,495 | £24,950 |
Only a few years ago, most electric cars cost well over £30,000. Growing competition from manufacturers such as MG, BYD and other newer brands entering the UK market is helping to push prices lower.
Petrol and Hybrid Cars Still Offer Strong Deals
Electric vehicles may dominate the biggest discounts, but petrol and hybrid models are also showing strong value.
| Model | RRP | Sale Price | % Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT Arona FR | £27,015 | £17,980 | 33.44% |
| Nissan Qashqai | £32,080 | £23,820 | 25.75% |
| Renault Clio E-Tech | £24,245 | £19,312 | 20.32% |
| Mazda MX-5 | £29,235 | £22,991 | 21.36% |
| Suzuki 1.2 MHEV Motion | £20,899 | £15,999 | 23.45% |
| Toyota Aygo X | £26,905 | £20,726 | 22.97% |
For drivers who still prefer petrol or hybrid vehicles, there are still significant savings available.
Premium Cars Are Also Being Discounted
Luxury brands are also offering notable incentives.
Examples include:
- Audi A5 2.0 TDI S Line – £11,780 off (23.29%)
- BMW i5 – £17,605 off (22.69%)
- Lexus RZ 500e – £12,402 off (21.37%)
- Alfa Romeo Giulia Intensa Auto – £9,155 off (17.22%)
Discounts of £10,000 or more on premium vehicles are becoming increasingly common as manufacturers compete for market share.
Why Discounts Are So Large Right Now
Several factors are driving the strong deals currently appearing across the UK car market:
- Manufacturers pushing electric vehicle sales targets
- Increased competition from new brands entering the UK
- Dealers aiming to maximise March registration volumes
- Buyers becoming more price conscious in a higher interest rate environment
Together, these factors have created one of the most competitive new car markets seen in recent years.
Protecting the Value of a Brand-New Car
Even when a vehicle is purchased with a large discount, new cars can still depreciate quickly during the first few years.
If a car is written off or stolen, insurers typically settle based on the current market value, which may be lower than the original purchase price.
For this reason, many buyers of brand-new vehicles consider GAP insurance, which can cover the difference between the insurer’s payout and what the driver originally paid for the vehicle.
If you have a significant discount on your car, this can mean that the most comprehensive Vehicle Replacement GAP can be a better choice than the standard Return to Invoice GAP. Find out why - Vehicle Replacement GAP vs Return to Invoice GAP.
Remember you can also protect the likes of tyres, alloy wheels and your vehicle bodywork with Total Loss GAP also.
Final Thoughts
If you're planning to buy a brand-new 26 plate car, it’s worth comparing deals carefully. Discounts currently range from around 17% to more than 43%, with some buyers saving over £18,000 compared with the official list price.
Electric vehicles currently dominate the biggest price cuts, but petrol and hybrid models are still offering strong value.
For buyers prepared to shop around, March 2026 could be one of the best times in years to buy a new car in the UK.
FAQ
When does the 26 number plate start in the UK?
The 26 registration plate was introduced on 1 March 2026 and applies to vehicles registered between March and August 2026.
Why are some new cars heavily discounted?
Dealers and manufacturers often offer incentives during new registration periods, such as March and September, to increase sales and meet targets.
Are electric cars discounted more than petrol cars?
At the moment, many of the largest discounts are appearing on electric vehicles as manufacturers compete strongly in the growing EV market.
*Deals were checked on 7th March 2026. Offers can change, and cars can be sold. Please check for the current offers.