The number of new cars registered in February was down 12% on the same month last year, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.
9,671 new private cars were licensed last month, compared with 10,993 in February 2012.
Of the cars registered last month, almost 26% were petrol. Just over 73% were diesel.
Volkswagen led the way again with 1,215 cars registered, followed by Nissan, Ford and Toyota.
The number of new goods vehicles licensed in February was 1,120, down 23% from the same month last year.
