Picture the school car park in 2023. If someone pulled up in a Jaecoo, most people would have quietly wondered what on earth it was.
Fast forward to this autumn, and the Jaecoo 7 has been the UK's best-selling new car two months running. Not the best-selling Chinese car. The best-selling car, full stop.
If you're thinking about changing your car, you've almost certainly noticed the new names. BYD. Omoda. Leapmotor. Chery. You've probably also had a little voice in your head asking the sensible questions. Are they any good? Will they still be here in five years? What happens if something goes wrong?
They're fair questions. Here's what's actually going on, what drivers are saying, and how to pick the right one for you.
What's changed, and why it matters
The short version: Chinese car brands have gone from curiosity to mainstream faster than almost anyone expected.
SMMT figures for October 2026 showed the Jaecoo 7 topping the new car chart for the second month in a row, with more than 3,400 registered. Its sister brands Omoda and Jaecoo took over 6% of the market between them that month.
In the first half of the year, Jaecoo, BYD and Omoda recorded the biggest market share gains of any brands in the UK.
Why does this matter if you're not a car industry watcher? Because more choice, from more brands, tends to be good news for drivers. In the AA's latest EV readiness research, 47% of members thought the extra competition would benefit buyers.
It also means these cars are now a normal part of the conversation when people sit down to choose their next lease.
Meet the brands
Here's the part most guides skip. "Chinese cars" isn't one thing. It's a dozen or so very different brands, some with decades of history behind them and some that are brand new to the UK. Here are the ones you'll find on Wagonex.
MG. The one you already know. MG is a British name with a long history, and it's been under Chinese ownership (SAIC Motor) since before most of today's newcomers existed. Which? notes MG returned to the UK market in 2007 under Chinese ownership. The range on Wagonex runs from the compact MG4 Urban and MG4 to the MG S5, S6 and S9, the HS family SUV, and the IM5 and IM6.
BYD. The name stands for Build Your Dreams, and it's a fitting one for a company that started out in 1995 and went on to become the world's first carmaker to build 10 million new energy vehicles. It's a genuinely ambitious story, and it's why BYD has become such a familiar sight here so quickly. On Wagonex, the line-up stretches from the small Dolphin Surf and Dolphin hatchbacks to the Atto 2, the Seal saloon, the Seal 6 Touring estate, the Seal U and Sealion SUVs, and the Shark 6 pick-up.
Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo. Three brands from the same family. Jaecoo is the one with the chart-topping 7, plus the Jaecoo 5 and 8. Omoda brings the Omoda 5 and 7, and the brand has an engineering lab in Frankfurt set up to tune its cars for European roads. Chery itself offers the Tiggo 4, 7, 8 and 9, which take you all the way up to seven-seat family SUVs.
Leapmotor. An electric specialist with a global player behind it. The T03 is a properly small city car, while the B05, B10 and C10 cover hatchback and SUV territory.
Geely. Offers the EX2 and EX5 electric models and the Starray plug-in hybrid SUV.
GWM Ora. The Ora 03 is a characterful electric hatchback with retro-inspired styling.
Xpeng. The G6 is a tech-focused electric SUV.
Maxus. If you need space, this is the one to know. The MIFA 7 and MIFA 9 are fully electric MPVs, and there's the T90 EV electric pick-up too.
Aion and Lepas. Two of the newest names. Aion brings the V electric SUV, and Lepas the L8 plug-in hybrid SUV.
All told, on 11 November 2026 Wagonex listed more than 40 models from 12 Chinese brands, covering city cars, hatchbacks, estates, saloons, SUVs, seven-seaters, MPVs and pick-ups, in electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid and petrol versions.
The questions everyone asks
Are Chinese cars reliable? The honest answer is that it varies by brand and model, just as it does for European, Japanese and Korean cars. The newer brands haven't been in the UK long enough to build up years of reliability data, which is why Which? and others track them closely. What's reassuring is that many of these brands back their cars with long warranties, and leasing means you're typically driving the car in its first few years.
How long are the warranties? Generally long. Which? reports that most Chinese brands, such as MG and Omoda, offer seven years, while Leapmotor offers four years on its SUVs and three on the T03. What Car? lists GWM at five years with unlimited mileage. According to BYD's official UK warranty policy, BYD offers a six-year manufacturer warranty, while its electric drive unit and battery benefit from separate eight-year warranties. Terms differ by brand and model, so always check the details for the car you're choosing.
Is there a dealer near me for servicing? Increasingly, yes. The Car Expert reports that BYD already has about 130 UK dealerships, with Omoda, Jaecoo and MG at similar levels, which puts them on a par with many big European brands. It's still worth checking your nearest site before you order.
Who owns MG? MG is a British name owned by China's SAIC Motor. It's the longest-established Chinese-owned brand in the UK.
Do Chinese cars hold their value? It's too early to say for some models. The Car Expert notes the motor trade is still working out how the newer brands will perform as used cars: some may hold their value well, others may not. That uncertainty is exactly why many people choose to lease (see below).
Are they safe? Check the Euro NCAP rating for the specific model you're considering at euroncap.com.
What it means if you're leasing
This is where things get interesting, because leasing answers a lot of the worries people have about unfamiliar brands.
You're not betting on the resale value. With personal contract hire (PCH), you hand the car back at the end of the contract. You're not the one trying to sell it in three years' time, so you're not exposed to what the used market thinks of the badge. The finance company's view of what the car will be worth is built into the monthly price from the start, so there are no surprises on that front later.
You're driving the car while it's newest. Leasing typically allows you to drive a new vehicle for a fixed period, often during the early years of its life when manufacturer warranty cover may still apply. Warranty coverage varies by manufacturer and model, so it's important to check the specific terms, mileage limits and warranty period against the length of your lease.
You get to try something new. If you've been curious about a BYD or a Jaecoo but you're not ready to commit for the next decade, a lease lets you live with one for a few years and decide what's next when it ends.
It suits company car and EV drivers too. Many of these models are electric or plug-in hybrid, which can matter if you're a company car driver or using a salary sacrifice scheme. Tax depends on your circumstances, so it's worth getting advice.
What to keep in mind. A lease is a fixed contract once you've signed it. You choose your term, mileage and initial payment when you order, so it's worth getting those right. At the end, the car needs to be returned within fair wear and tear guidelines and within your agreed mileage, or extra charges can apply. Ending a lease early can also be costly. Leasing is subject to status and credit checks.
How to pick the right one for you
Rather than starting with the badge, start with your life.
Mostly city driving? Small electric cars such as the Leapmotor T03, BYD Dolphin Surf, MG4 Urban and Geely EX2 are easy to park and cheap to run if you can charge at home.
Family of four with a busy boot? Look at the Jaecoo 7, MG HS, BYD Seal U, Omoda 5 or Leapmotor B10, which cover petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric options.
Need more seats? The Chery Tiggo 8 and 9 and the Maxus MIFA 7 and 9 are worth a look.
Love an estate? The BYD Seal 6 Touring is a rare thing these days: a plug-in hybrid estate.
Want something with a premium feel? Have a look at the Xpeng G6, BYD Sealion 7 and Jaecoo 8.
So, should you consider one?
If you'd ruled out Chinese brands a few years ago, it's worth taking a fresh look. The choice is bigger than ever, the warranties are often long, dealer networks are growing, and plenty of the people who've dealt with these brands are coming away pleasantly surprised.
That doesn't mean every model will suit everyone. Do what you'd do with any car: check the warranty, find your nearest service centre, look up the safety rating, and if you can, book a test drive.
And if the unknowns are what's holding you back, leasing takes a lot of the risk off the table. You get a new car, a fixed monthly cost, and a clear end date.
Compare the specs: Chinese cars you can lease on Wagonex
Want the details before you decide? Each model below has its own page on Wagonex with its key specs, the cars available to lease right now with their full price details, and links to what UK reviewers say about it.
