Measured in real terms (constant 2019 prices), motor trade sales increased by 1,5% year-on-year in February 2024. The largest positive annual growth rates were recorded for:

·       used vehicle sales (4,5%);

·       sales of accessories (3,2%); and 

·       fuel sales (2,9%).

The largest positive contributors to this increase were:

·       used vehicle sales (contributing 0,9 of a percentage point);

·       fuel sales (contributing 0,8 of a percentage point); and

·       sales of accessories (contributing 0,7 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted motor trade sales decreased by 0,7% in February 2024 compared with January 2024. This followed month-on-month increases of 1,0% in January 2024 and 2,3% in December 2023.

Motor trade sales increased by 0,6% in the three months ended February 2024 compared with the three months ended February 2023. The main positive contributors to the increase were:

• fuel sales (3,0% and contributing 0,9 of a percentage point);
• used vehicle sales (3,7% and contributing 0,7 of a percentage point); and
• sales of accessories (2,8% and contributing 0,5 of a percentage point).

The largest negative contributor was new vehicle sales (-4,8% and contributing -1,2 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted motor trade sales increased by 3,9% in the three months ended February 2024 compared with the previous three months. The largest positive contributors to this increase were:

·       new vehicle sales (7,6% and contributing 1,9 percentage points);

·       fuel sales (4,6% and contributing 1,3 percentage points); and

·       used vehicle sales (5,9% and contributing 1,2 percentage points).