Top 10: UK car sales 2010

Despite the car scrappage scheme ending in March, figures just published reveal that UK car sales managed to rise very slightly in 2010 compared to the previous year.



Total registrations were 2,030,846, up 1.80% on 2009’s figure. This modest growth was mainly down to increased fleet activity, particularly in the first half of the year.



However, the harsh economic climate continues, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is predicting that sales will fall by 5% in 2011.



The ten best-selling cars in the UK during 2010 were:



1. Ford Fiesta (103,013 registered)

Despite its overall sales dropping by over 36,000 to 280,364, Ford was the manufacturer that shifted the most cars in 2010. The Fiesta remained the most popular model, too, and deservedly so. A great drive, decent equipment and affordable prices make it one of the best superminis on the market.









2. Vauxhall Astra (80,646 registered)

In its first full year on sale, the sixth-generation Astra managed to out-perform its rivals, even though the range has been criticised for its prices. Overall, Vauxhall registrations were up by almost 4%, finishing the year at 247,265.









3. Ford Focus (77,804 registered)

A perennial favourite, the Focus managed to secure third place in 2010’s chart. Sales weren’t too far behind the much newer Astra, a feat that was probably helped by some healthy discounts and fleet sales. Due to be replaced by the third-generation Focus in 2011.









4. Vauxhall Corsa (77,398 registered)

The Corsa is strong on refinement and comfort, but it seems a very large number of buyers still prefer the Fiesta. It’ll be interesting to see what impact the recently introduced Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty has on 2011’s sales figures.









5. Volkswagen Golf (58,116 registered)

One of the best all-rounders on the market, it’s no great surprise to see the Golf make the top ten. Overall, Volkswagen sales were up by over 8% in 2010, with 174,655 cars registered. That was good enough to retain third place in the manufacturer league table behind Ford and Vauxhall.









6. Volkswagen Polo (45,517 registered)

Under the skin, the Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza have a lot in common with the Polo, but apparently customers are happy to shun the cheaper brands in favour of Volkswagen. Whatever the reasons for this behaviour, sixth place was a respectable result for the 2010 European Car of the Year.









7. Peugeot 207 (42,185 registered)

Another decent all-rounder, although the somewhat gawky styling and lack of image might have put some buyers off. Peugeot didn’t have a bad year with total sales up over 6% to 109,324, making it the fifth most popular manufacturer.









8. BMW 3 Series (42,020 registered)

It has become a bit trite to say that the 3 Series outperforms its mainstream rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia, but the fact is it does. Overall, BMW achieved 109,418 sales in 2010, an increase of nearly 11% that gave it fourth spot in the manufacturer table. A premium brand, but no longer exclusive?









9. Mini Hatchback (41,883 registered)

A fantastic image, low emissions, that terrific chassis and extremely strong residuals continue to make the Mini Hatchback an attractive buy. The only things letting it down are a lack of kit on lower-spec models and a small boot.











10. Nissan Qashqai (39,048 registered)

This British-built crossover is arguably the ideal family car. There’s plenty of choice, too, with front- or all-wheel drive available and ‘+2’ extended wheelbase versions that seat seven. Total Nissan registrations rose by 15% in 2010 to 89,681, but it remained in eighth place in the manufacturer chart.

Top 10: Cheapest new cars

With the increase in the rate of UK Value Added Tax from 17.5% to 20% on 4th January, the media has been trying to paint a picture of doom and gloom for the car industry.



But for anyone still looking to buy a brand new car without paying lots of extra tax, these are the ten cheapest model ranges currently available in the UK. Of course, for the same money, there will probably be plenty of better used cars available...



1. Chevrolet Spark £7,215 - £10,485

Modern with distinctive looks, the Spark benefits from the Chevrolet 5 Year Promise which includes warranty, servicing, roadside assistance, annual vehicle checks and MOT warranty for - no prizes for guessing - five years.



On the downside, the basic £7,215 Spark does without niceties such as central locking and air conditioning. There’s no radio either, and the windows have to be wound up and down manually.



2. Nissan Pixo £7,350 - £9,450

The Pixo is essentially a re-badged Suzuki Alto, and is built alongside it in India by Maruti Suzuki.



Those buyers looking for remote central locking, side airbags, electric front windows and split folding rear seats will have to go for the mid-range Acenta trim level, which costs £8,100. None of those items are included with the entry-level Visia specification.



3. Kia Picanto £7,370 - £9,100

In basic Picanto ‘1’ guise, there’s vinyl and cloth trim and no air conditioning, but at least electric front windows are standard.



As an incentive to buy, Kia has cut prices across the Picanto range until the end of January 2011. Consequently, the Picanto ‘1’ is currently reduced to £6,670, while the more generously equipped Picanto ‘2’ has dropped from £8,595 to £8,095. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that a second generation Picanto has just been announced, so expect the current model to be replaced later this year.



4. Volkswagen Fox £7,615 - £8,525

A new Volkswagen for under £8,000? Then it’ll have to be the Brazilian-built Fox, although in Europe it’s only available in three-door form.



The 54 bhp (40 kW / 55 PS) 1.2 litre petrol engine found in the £7,615 Fox has been phased out, because it’s not compliant with Euro 5 emissions standards. Cars in that spec might still be available from dealer stock, but any new factory orders will come with a reworked 1.2 motor that produces 59 bhp (44 kW / 60 PS). Unfortunately, the change pushes up the entry price slightly to £7,790 but, as a sweetener, until the end of March 2011 Volkswagen is offering three years’ fixed priced servicing for £299. 



5. Hyundai i10 £7,890 - £9,040

Even the basic i10, the Classic, comes with a generous list of equipment: air conditioning, electric front windows, radio / CD player with four speakers, 60/40 split rear seats, central locking and front side airbags are all standard. What’s more, there’s a five year warranty to complete the package.



Power comes from a 76 bhp (57 kW / 77 PS) 1.2 litre petrol engine with a five-speed gearbox. Performance is respectably brisk, with 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration taking 12.8 seconds and a top speed of 102 mph (164 km/h).



6. Fiat Panda £7,960 - £13,975

The top end of the Panda range is now rather decimated, because the more expensive variants - including the 100 HP, 4x4 and 4x4 Cross - aren’t Euro 5 compliant. Lesser models have been affected too, with the lead-in £7,960 Panda 1.1 Active Eco also only conforming to Euro 4. That means that Fiat has to get rid of any unsold stock fast, so it has reduced the price down to £6,295 until the end of March 2011.



Effectively replacing the 1.1 Active Eco is the 1.2 Active, which meets Euro 5 standards but costs £8,155. The slightly bigger engine does have its benefits, though. Power is up 25% from 53 bhp (40 kW / 54 PS) to 68 bhp (50 kW / 69 PS), allowing the Panda to top 100 mph (160 km/h), yet combined cycle fuel economy actually improves from 56.5 mpg (5.0 l/100km) to 57.6 mpg (4.9 l/100km).



7. Proton Savvy £7,995 - £8,695

There’s really just one Savvy model on offer, the only choice being between manual or automated manual transmissions, but it’s well equipped. Electric front windows, air conditioning and a four-speaker stereo are all included, as are 15” alloy wheels, remote central locking and reverse parking sensors. 



One drawback though is relatively high CO2 emissions from the 73 bhp (55 kW / 75 PS) 1.2 litre engine. 134 g/km means that UK owners will have to hand over £110 each year for road tax, whereas Pixo and Alto drivers, for example, would pay £20.



8. Perodua Myvi £7,999 - £9,399

With the disappearance of the Kenari from the Perodua price list, the Myvi becomes the only model in the manufacturer’s UK line-up. Based on the Daihatsu Sirion / Boon and Toyota Passo, the Myvi comes with a three year warranty, but service intervals are only 10,000 miles.



Perodua is currently knocking off £1,000 from the prices of all its cars until the end of March 2011, which brings the entry-level SXI down to £6,999.





9. Suzuki Alto £8,345 - £9,760

Prices for the Alto have increased dramatically in recent months but, to compensate, Suzuki is offering the Alto SZ3 and SZ4 derivatives ‘VAT free’ until the end of March 2011. That useful discount brings the cost of the cheaper SZ3 down to £6,953.



Like the Pixo, all versions are powered by a 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS) three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 103 g/km of CO2 - so near yet so far from the 100 g/km target that would have made both models exempt from the London Congestion Charge.



10. Toyota Aygo £8,485 - £11,115

One reason for choosing the Aygo over the basically identical Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1 is the Toyota’s lower entry price. £8,485 is enough for the basic three-door version, with another £355 needed for the five-door.



However, with that entry-level spec, there’s no air conditioning, central locking or electric windows although, like every Aygo, it does benefit from a five year warranty.





As a footnote, the Daihatsu Sirion might have made it onto the list. However, the company hasn’t updated its prices since last April and this notice on the Daihatsu website probably explains why:

“Due to the current weakness of the Pound against the Japanese Yen it has not been possible to order cars from our factory. As a result, some models are now in very short supply. We are sorry if you are unable to find the exact colour and specification of the car you want, however your dealer will be able to advise you on the availability of stock across the UK.”