November New Car Registrations Fall 1.6% Amid Industry Concerns Over Budget

“November’s new car registration figures have declined from last month’s boost, by -1.6%,” said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK commenting on the latest SMMT new car registration figures.

In November, a total of 151,154 new cars were registered, a decrease of -1.6% from the same period last year. Sales to private buyers decreased by -5.5% whilst fleet registrations slightly increased, with a 0.2% change.

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) continue their 2025 growth and registered a 3.6% change at 39,965 units. Plug-in hybrid (PHEVs) registered 18,005 units, marking a 11.9% change, and hybrids (HEVs) registered 19,836 units (1.3%).

Diesel saw 7,168 units registered, (-24.0%) compared to 9,434 in November 2024 and petrol also decreased by -5.9% to 66,180 units.

Sue Robinson added: “As the year draws to a close and the final registrations are coming in the Chancellor’s Budget announcement has not reassured the industry. It seems that the Government support for the EV transition is insufficient and the positives from the Budget have been overshadowed by an EV pay per mile tax.

“In an increasingly difficult financial environment we are likely to see registrations continue to fluctuate and the pace of EV adoption determined by the measures announced last week.”