Motor trade has busiest February for new cars in over 20 years

The UK new car market rose by 7.2% in February to 90,100 registrations, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), its highest February volume since 2004.

The strong sales data comes despite February typically being a slower time of year for the sector as purchases of new cars are often delayed for the March numberplate change.

Demand was largely driven by recovering private retail registrations, up 17.6% to 35,227 units. Fleet uptake grew by 1.8% and remained the largest source of new car registrations and 59.4% of the market.

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) uptake rose 2.8% to 21,840 units, representing 24.2% of the market. February was, however, the second consecutive month of decline in BEV market share compared with the same period last year when new BEV buyers were seeking to avoid April’s introduction of new tax rates. This comes in contrast to the end of 2025, when sales of fully electric vehicles reached levels set out in the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicles Mandate for the first time.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said of February’s car sales figures:

“The UK’s new car market is continuing to recover and EV volumes are growing too, even if market share remains disappointing. All eyes are now on ‘new plate’ March, which typically sets the tone for the year – and given sales of new pure petrol and diesel cars are currently required to end in less than four years, EV uptake must accelerate rapidly. Manufacturers have committed monumental investment to drive demand but such costs cannot be sustained indefinitely, making a review of the transition an urgent priority to ensure ambition matches natural demand.”