Measured in real terms (constant 2019 prices), motor trade sales remained flat in May 2026 compared with May 2025. The largest positive contributor was new vehicle sales (15,2% and contributing 3,9 percentage points).

The largest negative contributors were:

• fuel sales (-8,6% and contributing -2,1 percentage points); and
• sales of accessories (-7,0% and contributing -1,5 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted motor trade sales decreased by 2,2% in May 2026 compared with April 2026. This followed month-on-month changes of -4,3% in April 2026 and 6,5% in March 2026.

Motor trade sales increased by 7,1% in the three months ended May 2026 compared with the three months ended May 2025. The largest positive contributors to this increase were:

• new vehicle sales (17,4% and contributing 4,6 percentage points); and
• used vehicle sales (11,0% and contributing 2,2 percentage points).

Seasonally adjusted motor trade sales increased by 3,4% in the three months ended May 2026 compared with the previous three months. The main contributors to this increase were:

• new vehicle sales (4,3% and contributing 1,3 percentage points);
• used vehicle sales (5,3% and contributing 1,1 percentage points); and
• sales of accessories (2,5% and contributing 0,5 of a percentage point).