Year-over-year growth in new car registrations in the United Kingdom slowed slightly at the start of 2026, with the indicator easing to 3.4% in January 2026 from 3.9% in December 2025. The data, updated on 5 February 2026, reflect the change in registrations compared with the same month a year earlier.
The January reading indicates that while the UK car market continues to expand on an annual basis, the pace of growth has moderated compared with the previous month. December’s 3.9% figure showed a stronger year-over-year rise, suggesting some cooling in momentum as the new year began.
Both the current and previous indicators are measured on a year-over-year basis, comparing each month’s registrations with the corresponding month in the prior year. This approach helps filter out seasonal patterns in the UK auto market and provides a clearer view of underlying demand trends.
