UK new car sales rose 7.2% year-on-year to 90,100 units in February 2026, marking the highest February volume in 22 years, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The growth follows two consecutive months of gains, although February remains a traditionally lower-volume and more volatile month, as many buyers wait for the March numberplate change. The surge was largely driven by private retail registrations, which climbed 17.6% to 35,227 units. Fleet registrations increased modestly by 1.8%, while the smaller business segment fell by 12.7%. Fleets continue to dominate the market, accounting for 59.4% of all new car registrations. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales rose 2.8% to 21,840 units, or 24.2% of the market, marking a second consecutive month of year-on-year market share decline, partly reflecting strong early 2025 purchases ahead of tax changes and last year’s push to meet the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate. source: The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT)
New Passenger Car Registrations YoY in the United Kingdom increased to 7.20 percent in February from 3.40 percent in January of 2026. New Passenger Car Registrations YoY in the United Kingdom averaged 10.69 percent from 1991 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 3176.60 percent in April of 2021 and a record low of -97.30 percent in April of 2020. This page includes a chart with historical data for the United Kingdom New Passenger Car Registrations YoY. United Kingdom New Passenger Car Registrations YoY - values, historical data and charts - was last updated on March of 2026.
New Passenger Car Registrations YoY in the United Kingdom increased to 7.20 percent in February from 3.40 percent in January of 2026. New Passenger Car Registrations YoY in the United Kingdom is expected to be 1.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom New Passenger Car Registrations YoY is projected to trend around 1.50 percent in 2027 and -1.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.