Chinese car brands such as JAECOO, Chery, and BYD are becoming a far more common sight on UK roads these days, as drivers begin asking an important question: are Chinese cars actually any good?
As a new wave of Chinese manufacturers continues to make their mark on the UK's automotive market, buyers are becoming increasingly curious about how these brands compare to more established rivals.
Chinese brands have been slowly emerging in the UK since 2010, with the successful reimagined MG series leading the charge, bringing a whole new level of buyer competition to the usual suspects.
Without changing too much of the MG essence, and introducing cars like the MG Cyberster, which offers something for fans of the older MGs, the brand has been a Chinese car success story in the UK market.
But what about the others? The likes of Leapmotor, JAECOO, OMODA, Chery, and more, we answer the questions about Chinese cars you were afraid to ask.
- Are Chinese cars any good?
- Are Chinese cars reliable?
- Do Chinese cars come with good warranties?
- Are Chinese cars safe?
- Are Chinese cars cheap?
- Are Chinese cars popular?
- Which Chinese cars are sold in the UK?
- Standout Chinese cars that you'll love
- More frequently asked questions
In a word, yes. Chinese cars have made their mark on UK roads, and the people who’ve bought them are generally pleased. Like the Japanese cars first introduced in the 1950s, and later Korean cars in the 1980s, Chinese models were initially met with scepticism, with early models landing with poor finishes like hard plastics and boring styling, which failed to appeal to UK buyers.
However, as the market grew, Chinese car manufacturers invested heavily in research and development, engineering, and overall styling and design, introducing models that came with lots of standard equipment, up-to-date tech, and refined car architecture, which appealed to UK consumers.
They also made smart moves by recruiting some of the best talent from major automotive manufacturers, including Wolfgang Egger at BYD from Audi and Alfa Romeo, Stefan Sielaff at Geely, formerly of Bentley and Audi, and Klaus Zyciora at Changan, who served at Volkswagen. This brought a wealth of knowledge and European design flair to many Chinese car makers.
And what else helps? The price. From executive SUVs like the Chery Tiggo 9 to all-electric crossovers like the Changan Deepal S05, Chinese manufacturers are delivering high levels of equipment and technology at surprisingly competitive prices.
Are Chinese cars reliable?
Although early Chinese-made cars had some teething problems with reliability, these were soon ironed out and addressed in newer models. Today, many Chinese brands are considered competitive when it comes to reliability.
However, long-term reliability is still somewhat unknown for Chinese brands, as many of these newer brands haven't been in the UK market before, unlike more established automakers, which had decades of experience in gaining real-world ownership data. That being said, many Chinese brands are at the forefront of automotive technology, actively working to address any issues identified, and, as detailed below, they’re offering long warranties so customers can feel confident in their purchase.
Brands like BYD, which started out designing and building rechargeable batteries in the 1990s, are considered one of the most reliable Chinese car brands, thanks to their expertise in battery technology.
It's also worth noting that many modern cars worldwide use Chinese-built components that meet high standards, and build quality has improved significantly across the industry as manufacturers continue to invest in engineering and quality control.
Do Chinese cars come with good warranties?
To build confidence in their brands, Chinese car manufacturers offer long warranties for new and returning customers, similar to those offered by the likes of Hyundai and Kia. This has proven successful, with many buyers feeling protected and reassured if anything goes wrong with their cars, especially when stepping into the world of unfamiliar automotive brands.
For example, all new MG models feature a 7-year/80,000-mile manufacturer warranty, with wear-and-tear items covered for the first 12 months, while Chery Automobile and its sister brands, OMODA and JAECOO, offer a transferable 7-year/100,000-mile warranty when the vehicle is sold on.
Not only do Chinese manufacturers offer comprehensive vehicle warranties, but many also provide separate 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranties, adding another layer of reassurance for buyers switching to hybrid and electric vehicles.
Are Chinese cars safe?
Yes, structurally, Chinese cars are very safe, with all the major brands adapting very rapidly to global and European safety standards. TheNCAP (New Car Assessment Program) rating is an independent safety assessment that evaluates how well a new vehicle protects occupants and other road users and is scored from zero to five stars.
Many Chinese cars, such as the Leapmotor B10 and Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV, have excellent five-star NCAP ratings, with many other models performing strongly across each section of the test. It's also noted that they are also quick to respond to feedback from the NCAP test, often making rapid changes and updates to newer versions and trims.
On top of the NCAP rating, a lot of Chinese-made cars have Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard equipment, such as adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and blind spot monitoring, giving drivers added reassurance and bringing them in line with — and in some cases ahead of — more established car rivals.
Are Chinese EV Batteries Safe?
Yes, Chinese-made batteries are inherently safe. Most Chinese electric vehicles use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries rather than traditional Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) batteries. LFP batteries are more stable and more resistant to overheating, and less prone to catching fire.
They also have extremely strict global safety regulations for batteries, with rigorous testing and quality control standards applied throughout development and production. These regulations have a "no fire, no explosion" mandate: batteries must not catch fire or explode during an internal thermal runaway event (in which batteries heat up uncontrollably).
The brand BYD started out building rechargeable batteries in the 1990s and developed the BYD Blade Battery in the 2020s, which has been widely used in some Tesla, Toyota, and Ford models. This battery has not only been designed to improve efficiency, but also set a standard for car batteries by being ultra-safe.
BYD put their blade batteries through extreme testing, including extreme temperatures, nail penetration, and crush tests, to see how they fared, and the results were good: the batteries stayed in a safe condition throughout.
Are Chinese cars cheap?
Not cheap, but keenly priced with good value for money. Chinese cars come with lots more standard equipment and tech than other brands, like German ones, where you'd have to pay a premium to get them.
They're also able to keep costs lower than their European, Japanese, Korean, and US counterparts by keeping supply chain integration local, and are heavily subsidised by the Chinese government, which has invested heavily in the Chinese car market, especially the EV sector.
They also manufacture their own key components, such as parts, batteries, and electric motors, which helps keep Chinese cars more affordable. A lot of brands, such as BYD, MG, and Chery (and their other brands), have been keen to make an impact in the UK and have offered more competitive pricing than more established motor brands.
Are Chinese cars popular?
Very much so. With the rise of Chinese car manufacturers across the UK, brand loyalty toward established UK brands is fading. Chinese car market share is growing, with some brands that are very new to the UK, like JAECOO, which was only founded in April 2023, growing incredibly fast.
The reimagined MG brand was one of the fastest-growing Chinese brands, targeting the market with budget-friendly, highly practical SUVs and hatchbacks, and of course, the nostalgia of the MG badge.
There’s also a huge amount of choice with Chinese cars. From all-electric superminis like the Leapmotor T03 to large seven-seat SUVS, such as the Chery Tiggo 8, Chinese brands have a vehicle to suit everyone's lifestyle and budget.
Which Chinese cars are sold in the UK?
Some of the best Chinese cars available are sold in the UK, with brands such as Chery, OMODA, JAECOO, Changan, Leapmotor, BYD, and MG among the top Chinese brands currently offered.
Many brands are being clever with their marketing. Chery Automobile, for example, which produces cars under the brand names Chery, OMODA, and JAECOO, aims each one at a different customer demographic. Chery is the family-focused, practical one; JAECOO is the off-road, rugged-looking one; and OMODA takes care of those who love tech and sleek, refined lines. They do this to offer something different for everyone's lifestyle and to avoid competing with each other.
The best Chinese car for weekend adventurers: BYD Ti7 DM-p
If you need a lot of space and off-road performance, look no further than the 7-seat BYD Ti7 DM-p SUV.
Its rugged design combines a large, boxy frame with a plush, comfortable interior, along with numerous outdoor features such as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology and a decent ground clearance. Its appeal lies in how it balances rugged looks with modern sophistication, making it a SUV for long European tours.
The best Chinese car for performance and fun: MG Cyberster
For those who love nostalgia and want something quicker off the mark, then cast your eyes to the MG Cyberster.
A modern interpretation of the MG models of old. With a top-spec powertrain delivering 496bhp, a 0 to 62mph sprint in 3.2 seconds, and cling-to-the-road handling, the MG Cyberster is a bold revival of the classic British roadster spirit, reimagined for the electric age.
The best Chinese car for cities: BYD Dolphin Surf
The BYD Dolphin Surf is a four-seat all-electric compact offering that's ideal for those who need something a bit bigger than a supermini. It has a lot of range (200 miles on the top trim) and enough electric power to propel you along a motorway.
Where it comes into its own is commuting into the city, where you can nip around the streets in comfort. Plus, thanks to BYD's initiative of upgrading its structure and safety systems, it's got a five-star NCAP safety rating, making it ideal for transporting little ones from A to B.
The best Chinese mid-size car for families: MG4 EV
When choosing a family car, there are so many choices available. What makes the MG4 EV stand out is the way it balances a mid-sized family hatch with lots of range (338 miles in the long-range version) that does everything well.
Good tech, enough room for five adults, and a budget-conscious price all help the MG4 EV lead a highly competitive segment of affordable electric family hatchbacks.
More frequently asked questions
Yes, China is the world's leading manufacturer of EVs. They account for roughly 60% of worldwide sales and produce around 70 percent of the world's EVs. BYD overtook Tesla as the world's number one electric vehicle seller so far.
Chinese cars can be more expensive to insure than some rivals, but they're well within industry standards for insurance groups.
However, certain supply chain issues and the lack of long-term data can result in higher insurance premiums, which may be worth researching in advance for price-conscious customers. Insurance premiums also hinge on an array of personal circumstances specific to the vehicle, such as age and location, so what's cheaper to insure for one person may not be for another.
That being said, the lower overall running and purchase costs often offset the slight increase in insurance price. Plus, as more data on the brands comes in and parts supply chains improve, insurance will smooth out or even decline.
Chinese cars are now more competitive with Japanese and German models, often surpassing them in technology, EV powertrains, and price-to-feature value.
While Japanese brands remain unmatched for reliability and German brands still lead in the luxury sector, Chinese manufacturers have rapidly closed the gap.
Yes, several Chinese car brands are currently available through the Motability scheme in the UK. These include BYD, MG, Chery, OMODA, and JAECOO, depending on model availability and eligibility at participating dealers.
Availability can vary across models and trim levels, so customers will need to check the latest listings on the Motability scheme or with approved dealerships.
Chinese car brands accounted for 14.2 percent of all new car registrations in the UK in 2026, overtaking Japan as the largest source of UK vehicle deliveries. This followed a strong 2025, when Chinese manufacturers captured 9.7 percent of the overall market, driven by their affordable electric vehicle (EV) offerings.
Final Verdict: Are Chinese Cars Worth It?
Absolutely yes. With advanced technology, excellent EV options, and strong warranties, Chinese cars are the new kids on the block.
If you’re ready for something new, explore the latest Chinese cars available at Evans Halshaw. Visit yourlocal Evans Halshaw retailer today, where our team can help you find the right model for your budget and lifestyle, from luxury hybrid SUVs like the OMODA 9 to compact city cars like the BYD Dolphin Surf.
