UK motorcycle sales bounce back in January

Motorcycle sales have taken a positive turn to start 2026, with an increase of 12.9 per cent over the same period in 2025.

Statistics from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) showed that new motorcycle registrations were not the only positive to come out of January’s upturn in numbers, as scooter registrations also went up by 26.1 per cent. 

A total of 3,572 motorcycles were registered in the UK in January 2026, while 1,306 new scooter registrations were made.

If we go back to 2025, many individual months recorded a fall compared with the same period in 2024. And by the end of last year, a drop of 19.4 per cent in new motorcycle registrations had taken place. 

A total of 89,160 motorcycles were registered in 2025, which is 21,484 fewer than the end-of-year figures recorded in 2024. 

Some of that was expected, though, as Euro5 was phased out in favour of the more tightly regulated Euro5+ just before 2025 began. Although last year’s figures make for glum reading, January’s positive start will hopefully mean new registration numbers continue to recover. 

We would also expect motorcycle sales to pick up as the months go on, especially once the weather becomes a bit more friendly. 

Tony Campbell, CEO of MCIA, said this about the up-turn in motorcycle registrations to start 2026: 

“It is encouraging to see the market bounce back after a challenging year in 2025 albeit we expected the year-on-year growth considering the large market distortions impacting the end of 2024 and early part of 2025. As an industry we are looking forward to a more positive and stable year in 2026 and hope the political turmoil we continue to witness eventually settles down and the government finally focuses on the country’s economic and business priorities.

“MCIA welcomed the recent announcement to review rider licensing which was a direct result of a concerted cross industry lobby. Whilst this announcement and consultation is embedded into the recent Road Safety Strategy, we are urging Government to consider this review an opportunity to encourage access into the use of Powered Two, Three and Light 4-wheel vehicles as an integrated part of the wider transport strategy.”

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