Top 10 Best-Selling Cars UK September 2026 | Deals & GAP

Best-selling new cars of September 2026 in the UK

The Jaecoo 7 was the UK's most registered new car in September 2026, ahead of the Tesla Model 3 and Ford Puma.

The wider market grew too. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported 350,536 new car registrations in September, up 12.0% on September 2025. It was the 10th consecutive month of growth and the strongest September since 2017.

But which models made the top ten, and what could you pay for one now?

We have paired September's registration results with purchase offers from Auto Trader, lease offers from Leasing.com and GAP Insurance quote examples from Total Loss GAP. If you want to buy or lease, the figures below give you a starting point for comparing the cars and the cost of the cover you choose.

The registration figures are SMMT's data, published on 5 October 2026. The deals and GAP quotes were checked on 17 October 2026, and may have changed since.

The UK's top 10 best-selling cars in September 2026

Rank	Model	September 2026 registrations
1	Jaecoo 7	10,814
2	Tesla Model 3	9,929
3	Ford Puma	6,958
4	Kia Sportage	6,521
5	Tesla Model Y	5,946
6	Nissan Qashqai	5,554
7	Vauxhall Corsa	5,498
8	Volkswagen Golf	5,496
9	MG HS	5,444
10	Audi A3	5,268

Source: SMMT, September 2026 new car registrations, published 5 October 2026 (smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/car-registrations). Rankings count registrations across private, fleet and business channels, not private retail sales alone.

1. Jaecoo 7 with 10,814 registrations

The Jaecoo 7 took first place in September with 10,814 registrations, 885 ahead of the Tesla Model 3. It was also the second best-selling car of 2026 so far, with 39,474 registrations between January and September.

If you are considering a Jaecoo 7, compare the exact version on offer. Check that the trim, gearbox and vehicle status match what you need before comparing prices.

Jaecoo 7 purchase deal

Jaecoo 7 lease deal

2. Tesla Model 3 with 9,929 registrations

The Tesla Model 3 finished second overall with 9,929 registrations. It was also September's best-selling battery electric car.

SMMT reported a record 99,201 battery electric registrations for the month, up 36.3%. The Model 3 accounted for about one in ten of them.

If you are comparing Model 3 offers, check that they relate to the same version and specification. A lower advertised price or monthly rental may be for a different version.

Tesla Model 3 purchase deal

Tesla Model 3 lease deal

3. Ford Puma with 6,958 registrations

The Ford Puma recorded 6,958 registrations in September, taking third place for the month.

It also led the year-to-date table with 42,926 registrations between January and September, ahead of the Jaecoo 7 on 39,474. The Jaecoo 7 won September, but the Puma is still ahead over the first nine months.

When you compare Puma deals, check the powertrain and trim in each advert. The offers below relate to the specific versions shown.

Ford Puma purchase deal

Ford Puma lease deal

4. Kia Sportage with 6,521 registrations

The Kia Sportage took fourth place with 6,521 registrations in September.

Its year-to-date total reached 37,085, which put it third overall behind the Ford Puma and Jaecoo 7. It appeared near the top of both the monthly and year-to-date tables.

For anyone shopping for a Sportage, compare the exact specification. Check the powertrain, trim and included equipment alongside the headline price.

Kia Sportage purchase deal

Kia Sportage lease deal

5. Tesla Model Y with 5,946 registrations

The Tesla Model Y registered 5,946 units in September. That put it fifth overall and second among battery electric cars.

Together, the Model 3 and Model Y accounted for 15,875 registrations, which gave Tesla two places in September's top five.

If you are weighing up the two Teslas, the deal is only part of the comparison. Think about the space and driving you need, then compare offers for the version you actually want.

Tesla Model Y purchase deal

Tesla Model Y lease deal

6. Nissan Qashqai with 5,554 registrations

The Nissan Qashqai finished sixth in September with 5,554 registrations.

Over the first nine months of 2026, it recorded 33,082 registrations, which placed it fourth in the year-to-date table.

If the Qashqai is on your shortlist, check the exact version in each offer. On a lease, the annual mileage allowance and initial rental can change the total cost considerably.

Nissan Qashqai purchase deal

Nissan Qashqai lease deal

7. Vauxhall Corsa with 5,498 registrations

The Vauxhall Corsa took seventh place with 5,498 registrations, two more than the Volkswagen Golf.

Its January-to-September total stood at 27,390, which put it fifth in the year-to-date rankings.

When you search for a Corsa, check whether each advert is for a petrol or an electric version. The model name alone does not make two deals comparable.

Vauxhall Corsa purchase deal

Vauxhall Corsa lease deal

8. Volkswagen Golf with 5,496 registrations

The Volkswagen Golf was eighth in September with 5,496 registrations, just behind the Vauxhall Corsa.

It held sixth place in the year-to-date table with 26,702 registrations across the first nine months of 2026.

For a fair price comparison, check the engine or powertrain, gearbox and trim. If the purchase and lease offers below feature different versions, factor that into your decision.

Volkswagen Golf purchase deal

Volkswagen Golf lease deal

9. MG HS with 5,444 registrations

The MG HS recorded 5,444 registrations in September, which took it to ninth place.

Its year-to-date total reached 26,653, just 49 registrations behind the Volkswagen Golf over the January-to-September period.

If you are comparing MG HS offers, check the powertrain and trim carefully. Any manufacturer or dealer contribution should be clear, including whether it depends on a particular finance arrangement.

MG HS purchase deal

MG HS lease deal

10. Audi A3 with 5,268 registrations

The Audi A3 completed September's top ten with 5,268 registrations, 176 behind the MG HS.

The monthly list included two Teslas alongside models from Jaecoo, Ford, Kia, Nissan, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, MG and Audi.

For the A3 offers below, check the body style as well as the powertrain and trim. Differences in specification can explain a wide gap between advertised prices.

Audi A3 purchase deal

Audi A3 lease deal

How to compare these car deals

A purchase price and a monthly lease rental are different ways of paying for a vehicle. Weigh each one against what you receive, what you pay upfront and what happens at the end of the agreement.

For a purchase, check whether the advertised price is available to cash buyers or depends on taking finance. Confirm whether the car is unregistered or pre-registered, its mileage and the specification included.

For a lease, look beyond the monthly rental. Compare the initial rental, the number of monthly payments, the contract length, the annual mileage and any additional fees. Check whether maintenance is included, and read the excess-mileage and vehicle-return conditions.

The purchase and lease offers in this article may be for different versions. Use the exact version listed in each section when you compare them.

Where does GAP insurance fit in?

If your car is declared a total loss after an insured event, the amount your motor insurer pays may differ from what you paid for the car, what you still owe under a finance agreement or what it would cost to replace it.

GAP Insurance can help with a qualifying shortfall, depending on the policy you choose and its terms.

For a purchased vehicle, Return to Invoice GAP and Vehicle Replacement GAP address different reference points: the original purchase price and the cost of a qualifying replacement vehicle.

For a leased vehicle, Lease and Contract Hire GAP covers eligible liabilities under the lease agreement after a total loss. Quotes for leased vehicles assume a P11D value between £5,000 and £100,000.

Start with how you are acquiring the car and what shortfall you want to protect against. Also check whether your motor insurance already includes a new-car replacement benefit.

The GAP premiums in this article are examples for the stated vehicle details, cover type and duration. Check the policy documents for eligibility, benefits, limits and exclusions.

How we selected the offers and quotes

We checked the purchase offers on Auto Trader and the lease offers on Leasing.com on 17 October 2026.

The featured offers were selected on the following basis: example, available deals, at a UK main dealer or leasing company.

They are examples of the deals we found, not a guarantee of the lowest price on the market. Confirm availability, specification and full terms with the seller or lease provider before you commit.

Total Loss GAP quote examples were calculated using the vehicle and purchase or lease details shown, with assumed standard vehicle use (no taxi or delivery, for example).

Please note, the vehicle deal examples provided are a snapshot from the day we got the quotes. There is no guarantee these deals will still be available if you use the links. Total Loss GAP has no affiliation with Auto Trader or Leasing.com, and is not paid if you secure any vehicle shown.

Get a Total Loss GAP insurance quote

Whether you choose September's number-one Jaecoo 7, a Tesla or another model from the top ten, compare GAP cover using the details of your own purchase or lease.

Compare the cover options, check the policy terms and get a quote for your chosen vehicle.

Get your Total Loss GAP insurance quote

Frequently asked questions

What was the UK's best-selling car in September 2026?

The Jaecoo 7 topped the SMMT model registration chart with 10,814 registrations. The Tesla Model 3 was second with 9,929, followed by the Ford Puma with 6,958.

What was the best-selling electric car in September 2026?

The Tesla Model 3 was September's best-selling battery electric car, with 9,929 registrations. The Tesla Model Y followed with 5,946.

Which car led the UK market for the year to September 2026?

The Ford Puma led the January-to-September rankings with 42,926 registrations. The Jaecoo 7 was second with 39,474 and the Kia Sportage third with 37,085.

Does this ranking show sales to private buyers only?

No. The SMMT figures cover registrations across private, fleet and business channels. They do not show that every vehicle was bought by an individual retail customer.

Are these September car deals?

The registration ranking relates to September 2026. The purchase offers, lease offers and GAP Insurance quote examples were checked on 17 October 2026.

Will my GAP Insurance quote be the same as the examples?

Your quote will depend on the details you give and the cover you select. Use your own vehicle price or lease details to get an accurate quote, and check the eligibility requirements and policy terms.

Sources and further reading

• SMMT, new car registrations, September 2026 (published 5 October 2026)
• Auto Trader (purchase offers checked 17 October 2026)
• Leasing.com (lease offers checked 17 October 2026)