Volkswagen has cause to celebrate, with sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirming it as the UK’s favourite new-car brand.
A total of 178,607 new Volkswagens were registered in Britain during 2025, giving the German marque an 8.84 percent market share.
Compared to 2024, Volkswagen found homes for 12,303 more vehicles. It also boosted its market share from 8.52 percent the previous year.
Volkswagen shifted 55,884 more vehicles than its nearest rival, securing it the title of the UK’s most popular marque for the fifth year in a row.
With a host of new models planned for 2026, the company will hope to continue this success over the coming 12 months.
Electric models gaining ground
The evergreen Volkswagen Golf proved to be the marque’s best-seller, with 32,478 examples registered in 2025.
As a result, the Golf claimed sixth position in the overall ranking of new vehicle registrations last year. Along with the Vauxhall Corsa, it was one of only two non-SUVs in the top 10.
The Volkswagen Tiguan SUV was the brand’s second best-seller, with 29,857 registrations during 2025.
Following the launch of the government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme in July 2025, Volkswagen saw an increase in demand for its battery electric models. In addition, the marque also launched its ‘ID. Promise’, which allows customers to test-drive a Volkswagen EV for 100 days.
The ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7 and ID.7 Tourer range of EVs accounted for more than 30,000 UK registrations last year – a 45 percent increase compared to 2024.
A ‘perfect start’ to 2026 for Volkswagen
Rod McLeod, director of Volkswagen UK, said: “The news that Volkswagen is once again the top-selling new-car brand in the UK is the perfect start to what will undoubtedly be a really exciting year for the brand.
“The results announced by the SMMT, which show a healthy gap between us and the number-two brand in the market, underline the enduring popularity and quality of Volkswagen cars, as well as the outstanding customer service provided by our fantastic network of Volkswagen retailers.
“The trends we are seeing with our electric ID. range are really pleasing. I can’t wait to see and drive the new models coming to market in 2026.”
New Volkswagens set for launch this year include the T-Roc SUV, which is available to order now, priced from £31,620.
The ID. Polo electric supermini will also hit the streets later in 2026, complete with a button-based dashboard designed in response to customer feedback.
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