UK Motorcycle Market Stalls in June as Registrations Dip Nearly 20%
After a promising spring, the UK motorcycle market hit a major speed bump in June, with new registration figures showing a sharp 18.6% drop compared to the same month last year.
The numbers, released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), encompass the full spectrum of L-Category vehicles — including motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, and other small-capacity two-wheelers. The figures reflect not only a month-on-month stumble but also a broader market cooling over the past year.
Quarter two of 2025 (April to June) saw overall registrations fall by 15.4%, while a full-year comparison from June 2024 to June 2025 reveals a decline of 20.1%.
So, what’s behind the downturn?
According to Tony Campbell, CEO of the MCIA, the sector is facing a “perfect storm” of challenges. Economic uncertainty continues to shake consumer confidence, discouraging potential buyers from making big-ticket purchases. At the same time, the rising use of illegal and tampered e-bikes — which often operate outside current licensing or safety regulations — is cutting into the lower end of the powered two-wheeler market.
“The year so far has been extremely challenging,” Campbell explained. “There’s a growing erosion of the entry-level segment, driven in part by the spread of unregulated e-bikes, and consumers are clearly hesitant in the current climate.”
Despite the downturn, it’s not all doom and gloom. Certain market segments have shown resilience compared to 2024, and the MCIA remains cautiously optimistic. They’re calling on the Government to act — pushing for long-overdue reform of the motorcycle rider licensing system and a crackdown on illegal e-bike use.
Better weather, brighter outlook?
While the headline figures may feel like a gut-punch for the industry, there’s hope on the horizon. The MCIA expects a gradual recovery later this summer, aided by steady weather and an autumn season that traditionally sees a lift in sales as manufacturers roll out new models for the year ahead.
In the meantime, all eyes will be on Westminster to see if policymakers are prepared to step in with meaningful support — because if the motorcycle industry is to bounce back, it’ll need more than just sunshine and optimism.