Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show the UK new car market has passed two million registrations, but the data also underlines how far diesel has fallen out of favour.
Diesel cars accounted for just over 5% of all new cars sold last year, confirming the continued long-term decline of diesel in the private car market. This compares sharply with battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which now make up almost one in four new car registrations in the UK.
The SMMT report highlights that petrol remains the largest single fuel type, but electrified vehicles — including BEVs and hybrids — are rapidly gaining ground as manufacturers respond to emissions regulations and buyers shift towards lower-emission options. At the same time, diesel continues to lose relevance in the new-car market, with fewer models available and declining consumer demand.
DM Commentary
For taxi and private hire drivers, the figures are a clear warning sign. Diesel has traditionally been the workhorse of the trade, especially for high-mileage drivers doing airport runs and long-distance work. However, with only around 5% of new cars now being diesel, the choice of brand-new diesel vehicles is shrinking fast.
This doesn’t mean diesel will vanish overnight — many drivers will continue running existing vehicles for years — but it does mean future replacement options are likely to be electric or hybrid by default. As the new-car market moves on, resale values, manufacturer support, and long-term availability of diesel models will become bigger considerations for drivers planning ahead.
Diesel isn’t gone — but the numbers suggest it’s firmly on the way out of the new-car spotlight.
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