BYD registered 6,065 new cars in Britain in October, more than 20 times Tesla’s 282 – according to the SMMT.
Key points
- According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), BYD registered 6,065 new cars in the UK in October 2026, up 73.3% on the same month last year.
- Tesla registered just 282 cars in the UK in October 2026, down 44.8% year on year – its weakest month of the year so far.
- BYD has now passed 100,000 UK registrations in just over three years since launching with the Atto 3 in March 2023.
- BYD gives a 6-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty in the UK, Tesla 4 years/60,000 miles.
BYD outsold Tesla by more than 20 to 1 in Britain last month. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recorded 6,065 new BYD registrations in October 2026, against just 282 for Tesla.
The gap is the widest of the year so far. BYD’s October total was up 73.3% on the same month in 2025, while Tesla’s fell 44.8% – continuing a run of weak months for the American brand in the UK.
The UK new car market as a whole grew 5.4% year on year in October 2026, its 11th consecutive month of growth. Electric cars made up 32% of registrations, up 32.7% on October 2025, according to the SMMT.
The figures in detail
BYD’s UK growth has been building for months. The brand registered 37,995 vehicles (battery-electric and plug-in hybrid combined) in the first half of 2026 alone, and passed the 100,000-registration milestone across its entire UK history during the summer – just over three years after its March 2023 launch.
| Period | BYD | Tesla | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 6,065 | 282 | BYD × 21.5 |
| Year-on-year change | +73.3% | −44.8% | – |
| H1 2026 (BEV + PHEV) | 37,995 | not stated separately | – |
Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) October 2026 registrations, as reported by ChinaEVHome, 5 November 2026; H1 2026 figure from Automotive World, 31 July 2026. The SMMT does not publish a combined year-to-date brand total for Tesla in freely available releases, so no directly comparable year-to-date figure is given here for Tesla.
The UK’s new energy vehicle (NEV) share reached 47% of the market in October, with Chinese brands alone accounting for more than 21% – a sign of how quickly the competitive landscape has shifted since BYD’s 2023 launch.
Warranty compared
Anyone weighing up the two brands should compare warranty terms and service network alongside price. In the UK, BYD and Tesla differ significantly on both counts.
| Warranty | BYD | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle (basic) | 6 years / 150,000 km (93,750 miles) | 4 years / 60,000 miles |
| Battery | 8 years / 200,000 km (125,000 miles), Blade Battery | 8 years / 100,000–120,000 miles (with drive unit, Model 3/Y), at least 70% capacity retained |
Source: BYD UK: Warranty policy and Tesla: Vehicle warranty, both accessed 12 November 2026. BYD says terms may vary by model; the vehicle’s own warranty document is authoritative.
BYD’s basic vehicle warranty runs half as long again as Tesla’s in years, and well beyond it in mileage. Battery cover is broadly similar at eight years, though BYD allows more miles before the limit is reached.
Dealer network: BYD’s rapid expansion
BYD has grown its UK retail network from five sites at launch in March 2023 to 143 by mid-2026, while Tesla sells and services its cars through its own stores and service centres.
For buyers, that matters because a denser dealer network usually means shorter waits for servicing and parts. Anyone considering a BYD should check how far the nearest authorised retailer is, as coverage still varies by region.
Practical checklist for comparing the brands
- Compare warranty terms in writing, not just marketing claims – model, years and mileage are set out in each manufacturer’s warranty policy.
- Ask about distance to the nearest service partner and typical waiting times.
- With BYD, check whether the model you want is fully electric or plug-in hybrid – this affects running costs and any local incentives.
- Compare charging infrastructure: charging standard, access to rapid-charging networks and cost per kWh.
- Get delivery date and list price in writing, as prices can change at short notice.
In Germany and Switzerland, BYD and Tesla are running almost neck and neck on overall registrations in 2026. In the UK, the gap has already opened up much wider in BYD’s favour, at least for October.
Frequently asked questions
Is BYD really outselling Tesla in the UK?
Yes, by a wide margin in October 2026: 6,065 new BYD registrations against 282 for Tesla, according to the SMMT – more than 20 times as many. BYD’s October total was up 73.3% year on year, while Tesla’s fell 44.8%.
How big is BYD’s UK dealer network?
BYD has expanded from five retail sites at its March 2023 UK launch to 143 by mid-2026, according to Automotive World.
What warranty does BYD offer compared with Tesla in the UK?
BYD offers a 6-year/150,000 km (93,750-mile) vehicle warranty and an 8-year/200,000 km (125,000-mile) warranty on the Blade Battery. Tesla offers a 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and an 8-year battery and drive unit warranty of 100,000–120,000 miles depending on the model, with at least 70% battery capacity guaranteed.
Has BYD overtaken Tesla in total UK sales?
Not yet on the full year. BYD has passed 100,000 UK registrations since its 2023 launch, and its monthly figures have recently dwarfed Tesla’s, but a precise, directly comparable year-to-date total for both brands was not available from the sources used for this article.
Which of the two brands would win your business – and what matters more to you when buying your next car, warranty or how close the nearest service centre is? Let us know in the comments.
Sources and status
- ChinaEVHome: UK’s NEV share reaches 47% in October, 5 November 2026, citing SMMT data (in Chinese)
- Carwow: Best-selling cars in October revealed, 5 November 2026, citing SMMT data
- Automotive World: BYD passes its 100,000 UK sales milestone in three years, 31 July 2026
- BYD UK: Warranty policy, accessed 12 November 2026
- Tesla: Vehicle warranty, accessed 12 November 2026
- Net Trends editorial calculations (ratios) based on the SMMT figures above
Research and data as of: 12 November 2026.
Transparency note: AI-assisted tools were used in researching, structuring and writing this article. The sources used are listed in the article. Publication takes place only after manual editorial approval. Country edition based on an article from Net Trends, researched for the United Kingdom. Lead image: card drawn by the editorial team with figures and source note, photo: Luke Miller / Pexels.
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