This content is out of date and scheduled to be removed.

New 66 plate pushes 2016 car registrations past the two million mark

Image of James Kelly
Author: | Updated: 05 Oct 2016 11:45

A plate change always boosts new car registrations, but people seem especially taken with this year’s latest 66-plate offerings, with last month being the strongest September on record for new car registrations.

66-plate Seat Ateca.

Find more Seat Ateca lease deals: business / personal

All in, September saw 469,696 shiny new 66-plate registrations, marking a year-on-year increase of 1.6%, while year-to-date registration numbers now stand at over two million units – up 2.6% compared with the same period last year.

Two million units this year

In what is only the second time that the two million mark has been passed in September since 2004, it’s not just export figures that are boosting growth, but domestic too. The UK’s new car market is showing strong resilience against any post-Brexit worries, as overall demand continued to grow by 1.6%.

British-built cars are currently on display at the Paris Motor Show, raising awareness of the diversity of manufacturers.

Fancy getting yourself a 66 plate? Here’s our top five…

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “September is always one of the biggest months for Britain’s new car market. The new 66-plate, combined with a diverse range of exciting new models featuring the latest technology, has certainly helped.”

Fleet making up lost ground

Fleet registrations continued to drive growth, with the sector up 7.3%. This made up for a shortfall in private sales which were down to 223,844 – a decline of 1.7%.

This month saw diesel registrations rise by 2.8%, while petrol’s popularity slowed down and retracted by 1.1%. However, it’s interest in electric vehicles that continue to outpace the market. Their popularity is up 32.6% compared to September last year and now account for 3.4% of the entire market.

The Audi A3 is back in the top ten. It's premium cars like this that are popular lease cars.

Find out how export is driving UK car manufacturing…

Audi is on form too, with its upmarket A3 hatchback back in the year’s top ten after a four-month hiatus. It knocks the Vauxhall Mokka off the list, and sits just below Mercedes’ C Class. With two premium German models making the grade, it’s likely to be personal lease deals and other methods of financing that’s making them more affordable.

September’s top ten in full

September 2016 Year-to-date
Ford Fiesta 19,769 Ford Fiesta 96,139
Vauxhall Corsa 14,570 Vauxhall Corsa 64,925
Volkswagen Golf 11,003 Ford Focus 57,137
Ford Focus 10,992 Volkswagen Golf 54,954
Nissan Qashqai 10,619 Nissan Qashqai 50,293
Volkswagen Polo 9,765 Vauxhall Astra 44,771
Vauxhall Astra 9,495 Volkswagen Polo 43,642
Audi A3 9,252 Mini 36,738
Mini 9,025 Mercedes C Class 34,994
Mercedes C Class 8,603 Audi A3 33,240

September’s growth proves that the UK’s decision to leave the EU hasn’t had a major affect on the industry, Hawes warned that remaining competitive is key, and called on the government to make sure the economy is sustained.

Hawes commented: “The ability of the market to maintain this record level of demand will depend on the ability of government to overcome political uncertainty and safeguard the conditions that underpin consumer appetite.”

Previous Post Next Post
Not sure what car you want?
  • Easy-to-use tool
  • Save time and money
  • Meet your match
Find your dream car

Manufacturer Spotlight

Related Deals

  • Cupra Ateca

    1.5 EcoTSI V2 5dr DSG

    Cupra Ateca 1.5 EcoTSI V2 5dr DSG
    Personal Contract Hire
    3+47 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £992.76
    £330.92
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Leasing Options Limited
  • Cupra Ateca

    1.5 EcoTSI V2 5dr DSG

    Cupra Ateca 1.5 EcoTSI V2 5dr DSG
    Personal Contract Hire
    9+47 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £2,662.65
    £295.85
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Leasing Options Limited
  • Cupra Ateca

    1.5 EcoTSI V2 5dr DSG

    Cupra Ateca 1.5 EcoTSI V2 5dr DSG
    Personal Contract Hire
    6+23 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £1,691.52
    £281.92
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Leasing Options Limited
  • SEAT Ateca

    1.0 TSI SE Technology 5dr

    SEAT Ateca 1.0 TSI SE Technology 5dr
    Personal Contract Hire
    6+47 5k Miles p/a
    Initial Payment: £1,462.98
    £243.83
    p/m inc. VAT
    View
    Deal by: Leasing Options Limited