11:14 am, August 21, 2026
New car buyers are beginning to gear up for the September plate change, with traffic, stock levels and discounts all rising as dealers prepare for one of the most important sales months of the year.
The latest figures from Autotrader show visits to its new car platform have increased by 9% month-on-month so far in August and are running 2% ahead of the same period last year, as consumers begin researching their next car ahead of the arrival of the new ’76 registration.
Dealers and manufacturers are also stepping up their preparations for September, with the number of new cars advertised on the marketplace rising 18% year-on-year and 4% compared with July.
At the same time, the average discount being offered across all fuel types has increased to 10.5%, up from 9.8% at the same point last year, suggesting competition for buyers is beginning to intensify ahead of the plate change.
Discounts on electric cars remain slightly higher than the wider market at 11.2%, although that represents a marginal reduction from the 11.3% recorded previously.
Autotrader believes the combination of increased consumer activity, growing stock levels and more competitive offers points towards a positive September registration period, but its latest data also highlights the rapidly changing mix of brands competing for those buyers.
Four of the 10 new cars attracting the most enquiries so far this month come from Chinese manufacturers, with the MG S9 taking the number one spot after accounting for 4.1% of leads.
It was followed by the Range Rover Sport, with a 3.2% share, and Volkswagen Golf on 3%, while the Jaecoo 7 was fourth and Chery Tiggo 8 fifth.
The Jaecoo 5 also made the top 10 in eighth place, meaning Chinese manufacturers accounted for four positions in the ranking, although there was still strong demand for established premium brands with three Land Rover models featuring.
Most in-demand new cars in August
- MG S9 – 4.1%
- Range Rover Sport – 3.2%
- Volkswagen Golf – 3.0%
- Jaecoo 7 – 2.2%
- Chery Tiggo 8 – 2.1%
- Land Rover Defender 110 – 2.1%
- Renault 5 E-Tech – 1.7%
- Jaecoo 5 – 1.6%
- BMW M5 – 1.6%
- Range Rover – 1.6%
Chinese brands are also making their presence felt in the overall manufacturer rankings, with MG the second most in-demand new car brand in August after taking a 9.1% share of enquiries.
BMW remained number one with 10.2%, while Land Rover was third on 8.1%, followed by Audi and Volkswagen.
Jaecoo ranked sixth with 5.1% of enquiries and Chery eighth on 3.7%.
However, the picture changes when looking specifically at electric cars, where more established manufacturers continue to dominate buyers’ consideration.
The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric was comfortably the most in-demand EV on Autotrader during August, accounting for 5.6% of enquiries, ahead of the Skoda Elroq on 3.8% and Jaecoo 5 on 3.7%.
BMW’s iX3 was fourth with a 3.2% share, followed by the MG S5 on 2.7% and Hyundai Inster on 2.5%.
There were nine different manufacturers represented in the electric top 10, with Skoda the only brand appearing twice, which Autotrader said demonstrated the growing choice available to buyers and increasing levels of cross-shopping between brands.
Most in-demand new EVs in August
- Renault 5 E-Tech Electric – 5.6%
- Skoda Elroq – 3.8%
- Jaecoo 5 – 3.7%
- BMW iX3 – 3.2%
- MG S5 – 2.7%
- Hyundai Inster – 2.5%
- Alpine A290 – 2.3%
- Kia EV3 – 2.3%
- Cupra Raval – 2.2%
- Skoda Enyaq – 2.1%
Despite established manufacturers dominating the model rankings, MG was the most popular electric car brand overall with an 8.3% share of EV enquiries, ahead of BMW on 7.5% and Kia on 7.4%.
Bex Kennett, head of new car at Autotrader, said: ‘We’re seeing encouraging signs ahead of September’s plate change, with consumers becoming increasingly active as they begin researching their next new car.
‘At the same time, retailers and manufacturers are preparing for a key sales period through increased stock availability and competitive offers.
‘What’s particularly interesting is the breadth of demand we’re seeing across the market. Whilst established brands continue to dominate electric vehicle consideration, Chinese brands are increasingly attracting buyer interest across the wider new car market.
‘Taken together, these trends point to a competitive and positive September registration period ahead.’