UK car sales recover slightly after five months of decline

Growth for petrol and alternative-fuelled vehicles outweighs decline of diesel

The UK car market staged a small recovery last month when sales of new vehicles rose for the first time in six months.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 81,969 new cars were registered in February, up 1.4% from a year earlier. February is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year, as buyers hold off purchases before the numberplate change in March.