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Research finds Chinese brands increased their share of GAP Insurance purchases from 1.7% to 7.4% in just one year
Chinese vehicle manufacturers are rapidly becoming a more familiar sight on UK roads, with new research suggesting their growing popularity is also beginning to reshape the GAP Insurance market.
Analysis of thousands of GAP Insurance purchases arranged through UK insurance brands found that Chinese vehicle manufacturers increased their share from around 1.7% to 7.4% in just 12 months. This represents a more than fourfold increase in market share year-on-year.
The analysis also found that the average original value of a Chinese-brand vehicle protected by GAP Insurance increased from approximately £31,400 to £34,700 over the same period, an increase of more than 10%. This outpaced the wider GAP Insurance market, where the average vehicle value increased from around £34,200 to £36,900, a rise of almost 8%.
The findings suggest that Chinese manufacturers are increasingly competing in the mainstream family car, SUV and electric vehicle sectors rather than solely the budget end of the market.
The findings mirror wider trends within the UK new car market, where Chinese manufacturers have seen dramatic growth over the recent period.
Motor industry data show that Chinese brands accounted for around 4.9% of UK new car registrations in 2024, rising to approximately 9.7% in 2025. Industry reports indicate that Chinese manufacturers have continued to gain market share in 2026, driven by brands such as BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, and Chery.
The strongest growth in the GAP Insurance data came from emerging manufacturers, including BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda and Chery.
Many of these brands have entered the UK market with a strong focus on electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and highly specified SUVs, often offering significantly more equipment than traditional rivals at similar price points.
Mark Griffiths, Director at Aequitas Automotive Ltd, said:
"Chinese vehicle manufacturers have moved from being a niche part of the market to becoming genuine mainstream competitors in a remarkably short space of time."
"We’ve seen a significant increase in the proportion of GAP Insurance purchases relating to Chinese brands over the past year, which reflects the growing number of motorists choosing these vehicles."
"As vehicle values continue to increase, many drivers are becoming more aware of the potential financial impact of a total-loss claim, particularly during the early years of ownership when depreciation can be at its highest."
“The increase in the average value of Chinese-brand vehicles protected by GAP Insurance also highlights how these manufacturers are increasingly competing in the mainstream family car and SUV sectors, rather than simply focusing on lower-cost vehicles.”
Chinese manufacturers have been among the fastest-growing automotive brands in Britain over the past two years, led by BYD and the Chery-owned Jaecoo and Omoda brands. Industry registration figures show these manufacturers continuing to gain market share while consumers increasingly consider alternatives to more established European, Japanese and Korean brands.
With additional Chinese manufacturers expected to enter the UK market over the coming years, their effect on both vehicle sales and associated protection products is likely to continue to grow.
*Analysis based on GAP Insurance purchases arranged through Aequitas Automotive brands Total Loss GAP, GAPInsurance123 and Easy GAP between November 2025 and April 2026, compared with the corresponding period between November 2024 and April 2025.
References
- SMMT UK registration data: SMMT Car Registration Data
- The Guardian reporting on 2025 market share: UK car sales top 2m in 2025 as Chinese brands boom
- The Car Expert analysis of March 2026 registrations: Chinese brands tighten grip on UK new car market in March 2026
Further reading:
Why are some Chinese cars getting harder to insure?
What is the best type of GAP Insurance?
How GAP Insurance claims are calculated