Scotland’s car sales took a hit in February, but a surge in demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) provided a bright spot in an otherwise subdued market, according to the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA).
Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 84,054 new cars were registered across the UK last month, marking a slight 1% year-on-year decline. Year-to-date (YTD) registrations now stand at 227,762, down 1.9% from 2024.
In Scotland, however, the downturn was more pronounced, with sales down 9.9% compared to the UK total. Despite this, the overall YTD drop north of the border (-2%) remains relatively close to the UK-wide figure (-1%).
The standout statistic comes from BEV sales, which surged by 57% YTD compared to 2024. BEVs now account for 13.5% of all new car sales in Scotland, a significant increase ahead of tax changes set to take effect in April.
SMTA chief executive Alan Gall noted that Scotland’s sales figures may look like an outlier at first glance, but February is always an unusual month for the market.
“On the surface, Scotland’s vehicle sales for February have Scotland as an outlier compared with the rest of the UK; however, it does not take too much investigation to see this is only a small part of the story,” Gall said.
“February is always a strange month with private buyers preferring to wait for the new number plate on the 1st of March, and fleet operators are often in a position of strength in their negotiations with manufacturers desperate to achieve their monthly sales targets.”
Fleet sales saw a sharp 19% decline for the month, a drop Gall described as “more than likely a blip” rather than the start of a long-term trend. However, he acknowledged the SMTA would be monitoring the situation closely.
Meanwhile, the surge in EV sales has been driven by the looming introduction of vehicle excise duty changes in April, which will see many electric models subject to an expensive car supplement for the first time.
In terms of brands, Volkswagen remains Scotland’s top-selling marque, increasing its market share to just under 12%. The Vauxhall Corsa continues to hold its position as the country’s best-selling car, while Vauxhall itself is enjoying a strong 2025 so far, with YTD sales up 50% compared to 2024.