UK new car registrations rose 7.2% year-on-year to 90,100 units in February 2026, the highest February total in 22 years, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This marks the third consecutive monthly increase, although February remains a seasonally weak and more volatile month, as many buyers defer purchases until the March numberplate change.
Growth was driven primarily by private retail demand, with registrations up 17.6% to 35,227 units. Fleet registrations posted a modest 1.8% increase, while the much smaller business segment contracted by 12.7%. Fleets continued to dominate overall activity, accounting for 59.4% of all new car registrations.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations rose 2.8% to 21,840 units, representing 24.2% of the market. However, this was the second consecutive month of year-on-year market share decline, reflecting in part strong pull-forward demand in early 2025 ahead of tax changes and last year’s intensified efforts to comply with the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.
