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Lepas L8 SUV is the first UK model from new Chinese car brand

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Lepas L8

Lepas is the fourth brand from Chinese giant Chery Group to be introduced to the UK – and it has now confirmed the first car to be launched here.

The Lepas L8 family SUV will arrive in autumn 2026, offering plug-in hybrid technology in one of the UK’s most popular new vehicle segments.

Described as the brand’s flagship, the new Lepas L8 will compete against its Chery Tiggo 8, Omoda 9 and Jaecoo 7 relatives, plus more established SUVs such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson – not to mention other Chinese ‘new entrants’ like the BYD Seal U and Leapmotor C10.

The looks of a leopard

Lepas L8

The Lepas name is said to combine the words ‘Leopard’, ‘Leap’ and ‘Passion’. The brand’s positioning, we are told, is focused on elegance, sophisticated design and advanced technology.

The Lepas L8’s exterior ‘takes inspiration from the agile, muscular contours of a running leopard’, while its headlights reflect the ‘focused intensity of a leopard’s eye’.

Inside, the L8 appears to have a quite sophisticated cabin, with a waterfall-style central touchscreen and user-friendly attention to detail.

Lepas L8

Unlike many modern cars, there is also a useful scattering of physical buttons to support the touchscreen technology.

Potential EV range of 67 miles

Lepas L8

Lepas says the L8 has been engineered ‘to global five-star safety standards’. Hopefully, this should mean it continues the impressive performance of many Chinese cars in Euro NCAP crash tests.

Its plug-in hybrid drivetrain is likely to deliver a decent pure electric range, with the petrol engine taking over on longer journeys.

In other markets, the Lepas L8 SHS has a certified EV range of up to 67 miles. Its combined petrol and electric driving range is more than 800 miles.

More details about Lepas in the UK, including its leadership team, retail plans and service support, will follow in the coming weeks, as part of a ‘long-term commitment’ to the British market.

We’ll also learn which other Lepas models will be sold here ‘as Lepas builds momentum toward a new era of elegant mobility’.

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1 in 10 motorists scared of driving at night

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1 in 10 motorists now scared of driving at night

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Vauxhall’s adaptive Intelli-Lux HD headlights were found to make drivers feel 43 percent more likely to drive at night

A new survey of UK motorists reveals that nearly one in 10 (nine percent) is worried about driving at night. And almost a fifth (19 percent) drive less often during the hours of darkness than a year ago. 

In the study of 2,000 drivers commissioned by Vauxhall, around a third (34 percent) said this was due to worsening visibility caused by the headlights of other vehicles. A quarter (25 percent) reported feeling a general lack of confidence.

The issue of glare from headlights of other vehicles was acknowledged as an issue in a Transport Research Laboratory research paper published in October 2025. 

When drivers do venture out after dark, 25 percent of those surveyed said they would drive below the speed limit. In addition, 32 percent admitted to feeling tense, and would grip the steering wheel harder than usual.

Almost two thirds (61 percent) said they would take a longer route at night to avoid poorly lit roads, with 31 percent willing to travel more than 10 minutes out of their way for a detour.

Drivers’ fear of the dark

Vauxhall IntelliLux HD Headlights

An aversion to driving at night was found by Vauxhall to be more than just a minor inconvenience for those affected.

Some 22 percent said they missed out on social events by not driving in the dark, with 18 percent choosing to leave functions earlier. Some 14 percent felt unable to visit family, too.

To examine possible solutions, Vauxhall conducted a scientific experiment under the supervision of Dr Neale Kinnear. Five members of the public with mild anxiety about driving at night were asked to take part in a trial, completing two circuits of a pre-planned test route. 

For the first run, drivers used a new Vauxhall Grandland SUV fitted with the marque’s latest Intelli-Lux HD adaptive headlights. They then undertook a second run using a vehicle equipped with standard LED headlights.

Shining a spotlight on new tech

Vauxhall IntelliLux HD Headlights

The results from the trial showed that, when using the vehicle fitted with Intelli-Lux HD adaptive technology, driving was found to be more comfortable and confidence-inspiring by 28 percent of the participants. 

More than a third (35 percent) found that adaptive headlights brought enhanced visibility, with 39 percent reporting a lower perceived mental effort. 

Overall, participants in the experiment said they would be 43 percent more likely to drive at night with the Intelli-Lux HD lights. 

Dr Neale Kinnear said: “The findings suggest that lighting technology can meaningfully change how night-time driving feels, and for drivers who find driving after dark uncomfortable or stressful, that has real potential to support confidence and everyday mobility.”

Eurig Druce, MD of Vauxhall and Stellantis UK, added: “The nervousness drivers face when on the roads at night is something we at Vauxhall don’t take lightly, and for more than a decade, Vauxhall has led the way in making advanced lighting technologies more accessible.”

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Vauxhall Corsa GSE to return as all-electric hot hatch

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Three-spoke alloy wheels were a distinctive feature of the Vauxhall Nova GSi and later Corsa GSi models

Vauxhall has confirmed that it will launch an all-new performance version of its top-selling Corsa supermini later this year. 

Although it will draw on several decades of hot hatchback history, the Corsa GSE will be thoroughly modern – boasting a high-output electric powertrain.

It marks the continued expansion of Vauxhall’s GSE electrified performance sub-brand, with a rally-bred Mokka GSE compact SUV already available. 

Details of the new Corsa GSE are currently limited, but more information on the exact powertrain and performance levels will be known before the summer.

Even with the teaser images released, Vauxhall is seemingly keen to honour the Corsa’s retro relations. An alloy wheel with an elaborate three-spoke design is a clear homage to previous models.

Honouring a hot hatch heritage

2026 Vauxhall Corsa GSE

The timeline to the latest Vauxhall Corsa GSE can be traced back to the original Vauxhall Nova (known as the Corsa in Europe), first launched in the UK during 1983. 

A performance GTE model was added to the range in 1987, with a 100hp 1.6-litre engine giving the lightweight Nova the ability to accelerate from 0-60mph in under 9 seconds. 

With a facelift for 1990, the GTE morphed into the Nova GSi for the UK market, but retained the same rorty 1.6-litre engine. Three-spoke alloy wheels were a signature feature of both GTE and GSi models. 

The Nova GTE and GSi etched themselves into UK motoring culture, becoming beloved by joy riders and Max Power modifiers alike during the 1990s. It means well-preserved examples are now particularly hard to find…

A legend of the 1990s

2026 Vauxhall Corsa GSE

When Vauxhall chose to adopt the Corsa name for the second-generation supermini in 1993, it also kept the GSi badge for a performance model. 

Powered by a Lotus-honed 16-valve 1.6-litre petrol engine producing 105hp, the Corsa GSi could sprint to 60mph in 9.2 seconds, and had a 121mph top speed. Three-spoke alloy wheels were present too, of course. 

The second-generation Corsa GSi had a relatively short shelf life, with Vauxhall eschewing performance superminis until a VXR hot hatch model appeared for the fourth-generation Corsa in 2007. 

However, the company did bring back the GSi badge for the fifth-generation Corsa in 2018. 

Even if the 150hp 1.4-litre turbocharged engine was down on power compared to key rivals, it still proved to be an engaging warm hatchback, albeit lacking in those trademark three-spoke wheels.

Small, agile, and dynamic

2026 Vauxhall Corsa GSE

More recent years have seen Vauxhall creating a new GSE sub-brand for electric performance models, beginning with the Mokka crossover. 

An extreme Vauxhall Corsa GSE concept, shown at last year’s Munich Motor Show, also gives some hints at the direction the production version might take. 

Designed for the Gran Turismo 7 video game, expect the 800hp output and dramatic aerodynamics to be toned down for the completed Corsa GSE.

Eurig Druce, Vauxhall managing director and Stellantis UK Group MD, said: “The GSE badge has already proven a great success with the Mokka GSE – now Vauxhall is bringing that electrifying high-performance to Corsa. 

“The Corsa GSE will combine small and agile practicality with thrilling, pure electric, motorsport-inspired power and dynamics.

“Vauxhall has a proud heritage of hot hatches, and we’re excited to now offer customers those same thrills but combined with the electrifying performance and zero emissions in use of these new GSE models.”

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Lamborghini Lanzador EV cancelled due to ‘collapsing demand’

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Lamborghini Lanzador EV cancelled due to ‘collapsing demand’

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Lamborghini Lanzador

The Lamborghini Lanzador electric SUV has been scrapped, as the Italian supercar maker commits to a plug-in hybrid future.

First revealed as a concept in 2023, the Lanzador was to be Lamborghini’s fourth model line and its first EV.

In 2024, the Lanzador was released as a playable vehicle on the Roblox gaming platform. Sales of the three-door SUV were due to start in 2028.

However, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has now confirmed the project has been scrapped, reports The Sunday Times. The newspaper cited ‘collapsing demand among [Lamborghini’s] well-heeled customers’.

Electric vehicle development, said Winkelmann, risked becoming “an expensive hobby” for Lamborghini.

Instead, the marque’s fourth model line will be a plug-in hybrid, in line with Lamborghini’s existing all-PHEV range.

The firm already sells the Urus SE SUV and its flagship Revuelto supercar, both of which are plug-in hybrids. And it recently caused a stir with the arrival of the new V8-hybrid Temerario.

EV acceptance is ‘close to zero’

Stephan Winkelmann at Lamborghini Mayfair

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Winkelmann said, rather than ramping up, the “acceptance curve” for electric cars in the firm’s target market was flattening and “close to zero”.

Customers want an emotional experience and “EVs, in their current firm, struggle to deliver this specific emotional connection,” added Winkelmann. The key issue is a lack of noise.

The Lamborghini Lanzador was killed off in secret in late 2025, “after over a year of continuous internal discussion, engaging with customers, dealers, market analysis and global data”.

Winkelmann said that investing in an EV when the market and customer base are not ready would be “financially irresponsible towards shareholders, customers [and] to our employees and their families”.

In contrast, PHEVs offer the best of both worlds, he explained. Lamborghini will still consider making an EV, “but only when the time is right”.

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AI ‘price optimiser’ aims to save you money on car insurance

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Based upon initial testing, 80 percent of MoneySuperMarket customers saved money, with an average of £233

A new AI tool to help motorists save money on car insurance has been launched, with the potential to slash more than £200 from the annual cost of cover. 

Price comparison website MoneySuperMarket has developed its AI-powered ‘price optimiser’ to identify areas that could save its customers money

By analysing individual quotes, the tool is intended to make the car insurance buying process more transparent

During initial tests using the MoneySuperMarket website, some 83 percent of users saw a reduction in their insurance quote using the price optimiser tool.

By eliminating unnecessary aspects of cover, the drivers saved an average of £233 on each car insurance policy.

AI-powered car insurance savings

MoneySuperMarket AI Price Optimiser

Once an initial insurance quote has been generated, the AI tool works through it in more detail, identifying which elements could be contributing to a higher price. 

The price optimiser evaluates a wide range of car insurance factors such as mileage and payment type, along with the driver’s employment details and address. 

When analysing mileage, the price optimiser can compare a car’s registration number against MOT data held by the DVLA. This can check a driver has not overstated their average mileage based on the actual distance driven in previous years. 

Where drivers select third party or third party fire and theft coverage, the price optimiser can highlight where a fully comprehensive policy may actually result in a lower price.

Factors such as adding driving licence information to gain a more accurate quote, or considering if optional extras such as breakdown cover add value for money, are also included.

Small changes make a big difference

MoneySuperMarket AI Price Optimiser

After running through the price optimiser process, the MoneySuperMarket website will instantly generate a new quote based on the choices made. 

MoneySuperMarket also offers an AI chat function, which is designed to answer more detailed questions about specific policies, and whether the level of cover is sufficient. 

Lis Barton, chief customer officer at MONY Group, which includes MoneySuperMarket, said: “Price optimiser makes it easier for people to see what really affects the cost of their car insurance. Small changes can make a big difference, and this tool shows that clearly so drivers can choose what works best for them.”

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New driver surge leads to boom in demand for cheap used cars

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Vauxhall Corsa Griffin

Demand for used cars priced at less than £5,000 is rocketing, as a record number of new drivers seek to buy their first car.

A total of 953,010 practical driving tests were passed in 2025, the highest number since records began back in 2008.

And these eager new drivers are creating a sharp rise in demand for affordable used cars.

Data from used car marketplace Gumtree shows that cars priced under £5,000 reflect the typical first-time buyer budget. And they have attracted nearly 10 million views in the first weeks of 2026 alone.  

Used car dealers are reacting accordingly, with enquiries and replies also increasing 25 percent in January 2026.

“Demand for sub-£5,000 vehicles is incredibly strong,” said Gumtree’s Louis Maxwell. “We’re seeing a new generation of drivers turning to Gumtree as their first stop for affordable, reliable cars.”

Nearly half of 2025’s successful driving test passes were estimated to be people aged under 21.

Most in-demand first cars

A lineup of colorful Opel Corsa cars from different generations is parked against a sea backdrop, showcasing automotive evolution.

Gumtree’s data from the first 40 days of 2026 reveals clear preferences, said Maxwell: “Practical hatchbacks from trusted brands with low running and insurance costs.”

Ford and Vauxhall duly top the brand rankings, thanks to a reputation for reliability, low ownership costs and wide parts availability.

“These brands have consistently been top choices for first-time drivers, and the data shows that trend is only strengthening.”

The Vauxhall Corsa takes the top car spot, says Maxwell, thanks to its affordable running costs and easy availability.

However, the Ford Fiesta follows it closely – “continuing its legacy as one of the UK’s most popular first cars”.

Top 10 most-viewed cars under £5,000

CarAverage yearAverage daily listingsViews
Vauxhall Corsa20132,414378,081
Ford Fiesta20122,696360,339
Ford Focus20111,319237,098
Vauxhall Astra20111,073200,150
Volkswagen Golf2011689184,783
Volkswagen Polo2010802165,095
BMW 3 Series2010564152,529
Mini Hatch2009736128,763
BMW 3 Series2007435128,225
BMW 1 Series2012628122,224

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Buying a used car isn't something many people look forward to, but our 10-point guide will help you through the process.

The boom in demand from new drivers opens up an opportunity for sellers, too.

“If you have a second car you no longer need, or you’re considering upgrading, now is a great time to list it and make some extra money,” said Maxwell.

“Sellers are benefiting from more views on budget-friendly listings, faster enquiries as newly-qualified drivers begin their search, and higher competition among buyers which is helping sellers secure better prices.

“It’s proving to be a strong start-of-year market thanks to many drivers actively looking for their first car.”

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Motability explores how EVs can deliver essential care during power cuts

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Motability is partnering with a new project to see how electric cars could help deliver power to disabled and medically dependent households during power cuts.

The Power Wheels project is backed by energy regulator Ofgem, and is now operating in the North East.

The aim is to explore how an EV could temporarily act as a backup power source during a power outage. Crucially, this could help keep essential medical equipment running without mains electricity.

Motability Operations – the company that runs the Motability Scheme – has already been working with disabled customers to find out how electric car energy services could be used safely and reliably.

The new project is an interesting further development in the potential for electric cars to act as mobile power stations.

Many new models already offer ‘vehicle-to-load’ charging, or V2L. Via an adapter, devices with a three-pin plug can be powered by an EV – allowing them to act as an emergency backup during power outages.

The new initiative will investigate how this could be extended to make electric cars even more useful for medically dependent households.

Supporting disabled people’s freedom

Nissan V2X

Initial findings have already been used to provide straightforward information on the safe use of power from an EV. Guidance has also been created to help disabled drivers better understand when an electric car needs charging.

“As the UK moves to electric vehicles, it’s vital that this transition supports disabled people’s freedom and independence, and that new technologies are designed around real lives and needs,” said Motability Operations chief executive, Andrew Miller.

The new initiative “gives us the opportunity to work closely with customers and partners to explore how EVs could offer more than mobility [and] support their medical resilience, helping people feel safer and more confident when disruption happens.”

Motability says the next stage will see it collaborate with 30 Scheme customers to explore how the technology could work for people with varying disabilities and conditions.

This feedback will then be used to design systems for future testing.

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This infamous Aston Martin Vantage F1 safety car is for sale

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This Aston Martin Vantage appeared at 20 Formula One Grand Prix events between 2021 and 2023

An Aston Martin Vantage used as the official Formula 1 safety car at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is being offered for sale.

Having played a part in one of the most controversial finishes in modern F1 history, the Podium Green Vantage will likely remain a talking point for decades to come. 

Aston Martin’s recent announcement that it will no longer supply safety cars to Formula 1 arguably makes the Vantage even more collectible.

Currently advertised for sale at JCT600 in Leeds, this is clearly not a regular secondhand Vantage – a fact reflected in its substantial asking price.

Guaranteed to lead the pack

Aston Martin Vantage F1 Safety Car

Aston Martin had announced it would return to Formula 1 for the 2021 season, bringing the classic British marque back to the grid after more than 60 years away.

Along with its AMR21 racing cars on track, Aston Martin also became a supplier of official safety cars to the series. Mercedes-Benz had held a monopoly on this role since 1996, but would now share the duties with the British brand. 

Making its safety car debut at the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix, the Aston Martin Vantage came equipped with a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG.

Podium Green paintwork was used for the safety car’s exterior, with a dramatic bodykit and high-visibility light bar. The interior was also prepared for the timing and communications equipment required by Bernd Maylander and his co-driver.

A road-going Vantage F1 Edition was also offered, allowing Aston Martin customers to emulate the real safety car.

The controversial F1 title decider

Aston Martin Vantage F1 Safety Car

Three Vantages were prepared for official Formula 1 safety car duties, with ‘SC02’ VIN N00045 being the second of two offered privately for sale.

First registered in 2018, it served as the safety car at 20 Grand Prix weekends between 2021 and 2023, accumulating some 4,280 kilometres (2,659 miles) on-track. 

However, no time leading the pack was more controversial than the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when SC02 was deployed following a crash by the Williams driver, Nicolas Latifi. 

Race director Michael Masi then allowed the cars of title contenders Sir Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to ‘unlap’ themselves, creating a final lap fight for the race win – and the 2021 drivers’ championship.

With Verstappen having fresher soft tyres on his Red Bull car, he easily dispatched Hamilton and claimed his first Formula 1 title.

Own a piece of Formula 1 history

Aston Martin Vantage F1 Safety Car

The fallout from the safety car intervention at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was immense, seeing a complete FIA inquiry and the removal of Michael Masi as race director. 

It remains a major talking point for modern Formula 1 fans, with SC02 right at the centre of the controversy.

JCT600 Aston Martin Leeds is asking £599,990 for the Vantage, which comes signed by current Formula 1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Short of buying a Red Bull Racing RB16B, or perhaps a Mercedes-AMG F1 W12, there are few more significant ways to own part of 2021 F1 world championship history.

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Audi RS5: First look at 639hp plug-in hybrid ‘new era’

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The new 2026 Audi RS5 plug-in hybrid features the world’s first use of electro-mechanical torque vectoring

Audi has revealed the new RS5, which replaces the longstanding RS4 saloon and Avant (estate).

A new name is not the biggest change, however. The 2026 RS5 also represents Audi Sport’s first use of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Rolf Michl, managing director at Audi Sport, said: “The RS5 and its innovative drive concept mark the beginning of a new era for our RS models. 

“They bring a new level of dynamics to the driving characteristics our customers love and further improve day-to-day use value thanks to all-electric driving and innovative technologies. It’s a new interpretation of the true RS experience.”

Along with a major boost in power versus the outgoing RS4, the RS5 saloon and Avant feature an innovative take on Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Audi Sport’s first plug-in hybrid

2026 Audi RS5 First Look

A 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine is carried over from the previous RS4 Avant, but gains 60hp to generate a total of 510hp and 443lb ft of torque. 

Adding an electric motor means the RS5’s combined outputs reach a mighty 639hp and 609lb ft. This puts it within a single horsepower of the flagship Audi RS Q8 Performance SUV. 

An eight-speed automatic transmission is mated to a limited-slip centre differential, allowing torque to be split between the front and rear axles as needed. 

For the rear transaxle, Audi Sport has made the world’s first use of electro-mechanical torque vectoring. This allows twist action to be deployed in either direction, regardless of whether the driver’s foot is on or off the throttle.

All this technology helps the new RS5 to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.6 seconds. Thanks to a 25.9kWh battery capacity, more than 50 miles is also possible on electric power alone.

Wider, more dramatic design

2026 Audi RS5 First Look

Keeping such an elaborate powertrain cool is seemingly no easy feat, with almost the entirety of the RS5’s front end dedicated to cooling apertures. It also makes use of air curtains to shape airflow around the front wheels, boosting aerodynamic efficiency. 

Dramatically flared wheelarches fit with Audi RS tradition – and contribute to the RS5 being 90mm wider than a standard A5. 

A large rear diffuser houses two gigantic exhaust tailpipes, plus a motorsport-inspired red reflector in the centre. OLED headlights incorporating a chequered flag design are fitted, too.

Matte grey 20-inch alloy wheels are the default option, with 21-inch rims also available. Steel brake discs are standard, with larger carbon-ceramic items on the options list. 

The latter may be a worthwhile upgrade for anyone who ventures near a track, especially given the 2,355kg kerb weight of the RS5 saloon. The more practical Avant ups this figure to 2,370kg.

Engage Boost mode for overtaking

2026 Audi RS5 First Look

Inside, Audi Sport has given the RS5 a substantial makeover, fitting sports seats with honeycomb quilted leather. 

Red detailing and dark vanadium trim are found throughout the cabin, with Dinamica artificial suede and recycled materials also present.

Nappa leather is used for the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which has paddles to adjust the level of regenerative braking. 

The RS5’s steering wheel also features a Boost button, allowing the full 639 horses to be untethered for up to 10 seconds at a time. Audi Sport says this will be ideal for swift overtaking, as the transmission selects the optimum gear and a countdown appears on the 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument panel.

A central 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen handles infotainment, with the front-seat passenger receiving their own 10.9-inch display.

Carbon fibre camouflage on offer

2026 Audi RS5 First Look

Customisation will be a key part of the Audi RS5 buying experience, with a choice of nine standard paint colours, plus a near-unlimited array of bespoke hues. 

An Audi Sport package brings a wilder exterior design, with broader front air intakes and an RS sport exhaust system with matte black tailpipes. It also adds the carbon-ceramic brakes and increases the car’s top speed to 177mph. 

The Carbon Camouflage package is even more head-turning, using distinctive forged carbon fibre for the front bumper inserts, side sills, mirror caps and rear diffuser. 

Audi will start accepting orders for the new RS5 in the first quarter of 2026, with the first deliveries to European customers expected this summer.

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Used car sales grow for the third year running

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A brightly lit car dealership features rows of various vehicles, each marked with red price tags, under a reflective ceiling.

Used car sales increased by 2.2 percent in 2025, as 7.8 million secondhand vehicles changed hands in the UK.

It marks the third consecutive year of growth, with the recovery in the new car market – itself up by 3.5 percent to more than two million cars – boosting supply to meet robust demand.

This has also led to a change in the profile of used car fuel types, with sales of electrified vehicles accelerating significantly.

A 45.7 percent surge in used electric car sales, to 274,815 transactions, saw them grab a 3.5 percent share of the market – up from 2.5 percent in 2024.

There were also 88,032 used plug-in hybrid sales, up 6.3 percent, while hybrids were up nearly 30 percent to 407,351 sales. Overall, electrified used cars accounted for almost one in 10 sales.

“A third year of used car sales growth underscores the markets’ resilience,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes, “with recovering new car demand revitalising choice and affordability – especially for EVs.

“The record number of buyers making the switch signals growing confidence in zero and ultra-low emission motoring.”

However, these figures still pale in comparison to petrol and diesel cars, which remain dominant in the used car sector.

Last year, more than 4.4 million used petrol cars were sold. And while diesel is on the decline in the new car market, it still thrives in the used car sector, with almost 2.6 million diesels changing hands last year.

Going back to black

A person adjusts a license plate on an orange car in a bright, modern automotive workshop, with various vehicles on lifts.

More than 21 percent of used car buyers chose a black car last year. With nearly 1.7 million sold secondhand, it’s once again Britain’s favourite used car colour.

Grey was second, on 18.2 percent, with white up 6.3 percent to take third place with a 16.0 percent market share.

Together, black, white and grey accounted for more than half of all used car sales.

As for the types of car used car buyers favour, superminis accounted for a third of sales, with family hatchbacks next, and dual purpose cars – predominantly SUVs – taking third.

With a 7.6 percent growth, SUVs were the fastest-rising used car segment, with a 16.8 percent share. By contrast, luxury saloons accounted for just 0.5 percent.

And individual used car choice? The Ford Fiesta is still top of the table, despite new models being phased out in 2023, but its lead is now set to decline. How long before the Vauxhall Corsa – still the nation’s best-selling supermini – also becomes Britain’s best-selling used car?

Top 10 used cars in 2025

1: Ford Fiesta – 303,090

2: Vauxhall Corsa – 247,853

3: Volkswagen Golf – 226,082

4: Ford Focus – 218,962

5: BMW 3 Series – 157,343

6: Mini – 154,527

7: Volkswagen Polo – 153,583

8: Vauxhall Astra – 149,410

9: Nissan Qashqai – 145,207

10: Audi A3 – 125,752

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