THE number of new cars sold last month dipped compared with February 2002 but demand for private motors held strong, figures out revealed.

A total of 88,096 new cars were sold in the UK in February 2003 5.8 per cent fewer than in February 2002, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Private registrations made up 45.2 per cent of the total market a rise of 2.4 per cent on February 2002.

"This is the second best February since the twice-yearly number plate change was introduced in 1999," said SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan.

He added: "Despite a modest dip in this month's figures, private demand remains strong and gives a good indication that March, a new number plate month, could be on a par with last year's record level."

The February 2003 figures took the year-to-date total to 274,865 - an 8.1 per cent drop on the total for the first two months of 2002.

The SMMT said it expected new car sales to reach 2.4 million in 2003 compared with last year's record of 2.56 million and the 2001 total of 2.45 million. Among manufacturers, MG Rover enjoyed a good February with its share of the market rising from 3.24 per cent in February 2002 to 4.23 per cent last month.