In 2024, the DVLA recorded 2.6 million new vehicle registrations, up 3% on the year before.
Around 2 million of these were cars, with the rest a combination of vans, buses, bikes, and HGVs.
But what about the specific areas of the country? We’ve explored the figures and uncovered the UK regions with the most new cars registered in 2024.
UK Regions With The Most New Cars Registered in 2024
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South East England - 448,800 New Cars Registered (22.4%)
South East England is top of the leaderboard with 448,800 new cars registered in 2024, which is 22.4% of overall new car sales in the country.
This is likely down to a combination of rural ownership and growing commuter demand, as people travel further and more often for work in major cities.
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North West of England - 238,500 New Cars Registered (11.9%)
The North West of England saw 238,500 new cars registered in 2024, which is 11.9% of all car sales in the UK.
With Manchester often referred to as Britain’s second city, it’s no surprise that so many cars are being registered in this region.
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East of England - 189,500 New Cars Registered (9.5%)
Over to the East, next, which is a consistent growth region for car sales that saw 189,500 new cars registered in 2024, around 9.5% of all new car sales in the UK.
The number of registered vehicles rises regularly in this area, with the likes of Cambridge, Ipswich, and Norwich proving to be the most popular cities for the trend. There are also more new developments in commuter zones in these areas, leading to more households owning cars.
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South West England - 199,700 New Cars Registered (10%)
Thanks to post-pandemic recovery, the South West is seeing a rebound in fleet vehicle purchases and electric vehicles are also seeing a surge in popularity.
That’s probably why the total amount of new cars registered in the South West accounted for around 10% of all new car registrations in the country in 2024.
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Scotland - 169,300 New Cars Registered (8.5%)
Scotland registered 169,300 new cars in 2024, 8.5% of the total in the UK. The widely distributed population and long travel distances between towns make private car ownership essential in many areas.
Ongoing investment in EV infrastructure is also helping to drive Scotland’s new car sales, although there’s still some way to go.
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Yorkshire and the Humber - 160,100 New Cars Registered (8.0%)
Yorkshire and the Humber recorded 160,100 new car registrations in 2024, which made up 8.0% of the UK’s total.
With a mix of rural and urban environments and strong transport links across the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, and Hull, the region’s travel needs continue to sustain demand.
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West Midlands - 143,300 New Cars Registered (7.2%)
A well-established manufacturing and transport hub, the West Midlands recorded 143,300 new car registrations in 2024, making up 7.2% of the UK’s total.
Birmingham and Coventry continue to lead the way for new car sales in the region, both for personal car ownership and fleet vehicle registrations.
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London - 137,200 New Cars Registered (6.9%)
Despite strong public transport links, London still recorded 137,200 new car registrations in 2024 (6.9%). This can be attributed to growing outer borough populations, electric vehicle incentives, and the recovery of fleet and business cars post-COVID.
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East Midlands - 134,800 New Cars Registered (6.7%)
The East Midlands registered 134,800 new cars last year, 6.7% of total UK registrations.
Areas like Leicester and Nottingham are key contributors to this figure, with continued suburban expansion and accessibility playing a role in the trends.
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Wales - 68,700 New Cars Registered (3.4%)
Wales saw 68,700 new cars registered in 2024, accounting for 3.4% of the UK’s total. Its largely rural nature means car ownership is essential for many residents, especially in regions without strong public transport options.
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North East - 60,300 New Cars Registered (3.0%)
The North East registered 60,300 new cars in 2024, just 3.0% of the national total. This low figure reflects the region’s relatively smaller population and slower pace of economic and infrastructure growth compared to other parts of the UK.
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Northern Ireland - 49,800 New Cars Registered (2.5%)
Northern Ireland had 49,800 new car registrations in 2024, just 2.5% of the total. Despite this, car ownership remains a necessity in many parts of the region, with demand driven largely by rural living and cross-border commuting into the Republic of Ireland.
What the Data Means for the Future
The DVLA shows a clear divide in new car registrations in the UK, with the South East and North West dominating and areas like the North East and Northern Ireland lagging behind.
This reflects differences in population density and economic growth, and reliance on public transport is also an influencing factor, with London lower than other regions due to its excellent tube and bus networks.
Looking forward, EV incentives should accelerate new car registrations in urban areas, with electric vehicles likely to play a larger role in future statistics.
Commuter regions are also growing, with people moving out of cities for more space and affordability, so commuter belts and regional transport hubs in the South West, East and the Midlands will probably continue to see growth.
The challenge lies in supporting growth in all areas of the UK with better roads and transport policies, and national investment in EV charging and parking infrastructures.
