Over the last 13 years I've had three cars with stop start: an E92 BMW 320d, a 2016 Mini Clubman Cooper and a G31 320d with a cumulative total of just under 300k miles. Not had a single problem related to stop start in any of those cars. In fact, the only issues I ever had were some kind of ECU gremlin in the E92 towards the end of my ownership of it, and in the mini the infotainment locked up.
I saw that on FB yesterday. TBH I'm not overly concerned atm as Chery/Omoda/Jaecoo are (allegedly) in the throes of beefing up their spares logistics in the UK (in Swindon I believe). I just think in this case the timing of the accident is unfortunate.
Legendary British car brand on brink of building Chinese motors in UK in first deal of its kind https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/38048691/british-car-brand-brink-building-chinese-motors-uk/
I read in the motoring press that Volvo has a problem with the nickel-manganese-cobalt battery in some models of their EX30 range. Small risk of cell self ignition if charged over 70%, which could cascade ignite adjacent cells, allegedly due to a battery manufacturing error. Volvo blame a Chinese supplier who counter blame Volvo’s own manufacturing facility. Meanwhile, no fix available to the affected (34,777) owners. I should emphasise, the Volvo problem is only with nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries not the lithium-iron-phosphate battery in their single motor, entry level EX30. Andy
top 10 selling cars in uk in 2026 In January 2026, the Kia Sportage took the top spot as the UK's best-selling car, marking a shift from the Ford Puma's three-year dominance. The market is currently seeing a rapid rise in Chinese brands, with models like the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U breaking into the top 10 for the first time. Top 10 Best-Selling Cars in the UK (January 2026) According to the latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) data for January 2026, these are the leading models by registration volume: Kia Sportage Volume: 4,675 registrations. Highlights: Praised for its wide range of petrol, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options, offering significant driver flexibility. Jaecoo 7 Volume: 4,059 registrations. Highlights: A new Chinese entrant that has rapidly gained popularity, notably outselling long-standing favorites like the Qashqai and Corsa in early 2026. Ford Puma Volume: 3,715 registrations. Highlights: The overall best-seller for 2023, 2024, and 2025, it remains highly popular for its agility and practical "Megabox" boot. Nissan Qashqai Volume: 2,995 registrations. Highlights: Continues to be a staple for families, particularly the Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid, which is lauded for its smooth electric-like drive. Vauxhall Corsa Volume: 2,902 registrations. Highlights: One of the most recognisable names in the supermini market, available in petrol, hybrid, and fully electric Vauxhall Corsa Electric variants. BYD Seal U Volume: 2,550 registrations. Highlights: A significant climber from the Chinese brand BYD, which surpassed Tesla in total UK sales during the 2025 calendar year. Nissan Juke Volume: 2,517 registrations. Highlights: A compact crossover noted for its bold styling and mid-life facelift in 2024 that upgraded its interior tech. Volkswagen Tiguan Volume: 2,425 registrations. Highlights: A perennial family SUV favorite, with the latest generation offering a plug-in hybrid version with an impressive 77-mile electric range. Volkswagen Golf Volume: 2,072 registrations. Highlights: Recently updated to the "Mk8.5" version, which addressed previous criticisms by reintroducing physical buttons and improving its infotainment system. MG HS Volume: 2,035 registrations. Highlights: Remains a top choice for budget-conscious buyers, offering one of the most affordable large plug-in hybrid SUVs on the market. 2026 Market Trends Electrification Growth: Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are forecast to reach a 28.2% to 29% market share by the end of 2026, driven by new affordable entries like the Renault 5 and Skoda Elroq. Chinese Brand Expansion: Brands like BYD, Omoda, and Jaecoo now account for roughly 10% of the UK market, nearly doubling their share from the previous year. SUV Dominance: Family SUVs and crossovers continue to lead the charts, with manufacturers increasingly pivoting away from traditional city cars and saloons.
