Vehicle Registrations in Mauritius Decline 25.4% Despite Recovery Toward Late 2026

Published Date: 22 October 2026
Updated Date: 22 October 2026

Vehicle registrations in Mauritius fell by 25.4% during the first nine months of 2026, highlighting a significant slowdown in the country’s automobile market. According to the latest figures from the National Land Transport Authority (NLTA), 23,641 vehicles were registered between January and September, compared with 31,702 during the corresponding period in 2025.

The decline represents 8,061 fewer registrations year-on-year. However, the market showed signs of recovery in August and September, when monthly registrations exceeded the figures recorded during the same months of the previous year. The latest data suggests that, although the overall market remains under pressure, the downward trend has eased in the final months of the reporting period.

Mauritius Records 23,641 Vehicle Registrations in Nine Months

The latest statistics show that vehicle registrations remained significantly below 2025 levels throughout most of the first nine months of 2026.

Between January and September, the market recorded 23,641 registrations, compared with 31,702 a year earlier. This represents a year-on-year decline of approximately one-quarter.

New vehicles continued to account for the larger share of registrations, with 16,919 units recorded during the period. Second-hand vehicles accounted for the remaining 6,722 registrations.

The figures indicate that the slowdown affected the overall vehicle market, rather than being limited to one category.

August and September Show Signs of Recovery

Despite the substantial decline accumulated earlier in the year, registrations improved in the final two months of the reporting period.

The NLTA figures show the following monthly comparisons:

Month	2025 registrations	2026 registrations	Change
January	3,531	2,710	-821
February	2,949	2,465	-484
March	3,543	2,434	-1,109
April	3,223	2,795	-428
May	3,895	2,558	-1,337
June	6,926	2,642	-4,284
July	3,459	2,722	-737
August	2,016	2,689	+673
September	2,160	2,626	+466

August registrations rose above the previous year’s total, and September continued the recovery. In September 2026, 2,626 vehicles were registered, compared with 2,160 in September 2025.

However, two consecutive months of growth do not necessarily indicate a sustained market recovery. The cumulative total remained considerably lower than the corresponding nine-month figure for 2025.

New Vehicles Continue to Dominate the Market

New vehicles remained the leading category in Mauritius, accounting for 16,919 of the 23,641 registrations recorded from January to September 2026.

Second-hand vehicles represented 6,722 registrations during the same period. This difference highlights the continuing importance of new vehicle purchases, even as the wider market experiences a contraction.

For vehicle dealers and importers, the registration figures provide an important indicator of market activity. A prolonged slowdown may influence inventory planning, import decisions, promotional offers and sales forecasts.

The figures alone, however, do not establish the precise reasons behind the decline or indicate how individual dealerships have performed.

Rising Vehicle Costs and Household Purchasing Power

Earlier reporting on the 2026 downturn identified higher vehicle prices, changes to certain tax advantages, import-related expenses, freight costs and exchange-rate movements as possible factors affecting buyers.

When the cost of purchasing a vehicle rises, the financial burden can extend beyond the advertised price. Buyers who rely on loans or leasing arrangements may also face higher financing commitments, depending on the purchase price and lending terms.

These pressures may encourage some households to delay replacing an existing vehicle or reconsider purchasing a new one. Buyers may also compare imported second-hand vehicles with new models before making a decision.

Nevertheless, the latest nine-month registration figures do not independently quantify the contribution of each factor. Further market data would be needed to determine how much of the decline reflects affordability, changes in supply, tax policy or other influences.

Mauritius Vehicle Fleet Continues to Expand

The decline in new registrations and overall registration activity has not stopped the total vehicle fleet from growing.

According to figures reported by News Moris, Mauritius had 769,108 registered vehicles, representing an increase of approximately 3% year-on-year.

Cars formed the largest category, with 373,483 units, while motorcycles accounted for 133,563 vehicles.

This distinction is important: a decline in registrations over a particular period does not necessarily mean the total number of vehicles on the roads is falling. The overall fleet can continue to expand when new registrations exceed the number of vehicles removed from circulation.

Official statistics published by Statistics Mauritius also showed that the registered fleet increased during the first half of 2026, reaching 761,531 vehicles at the end of June.

Implications for Dealers, Importers and Buyers

The registration slowdown could have implications for several parts of the automotive sector.

Vehicle dealerships: Businesses may need to monitor demand carefully, adjust stock levels and review sales strategies in response to changing buyer activity.

Importers: Lower registration volumes may influence purchasing plans and decisions about the mix of new and second-hand vehicles brought into the country.

Consumers: Buyers may place greater emphasis on total ownership costs, including financing, insurance, fuel, maintenance and applicable taxes, when comparing vehicles.

Transport-related businesses: Companies involved in vehicle servicing, parts supply and related services may also monitor changes in the number and types of vehicles entering the market.

These are potential implications of the registration trend, rather than confirmed outcomes for every business operating in Mauritius.

What to Watch in the Final Months of 2026

The August and September figures offer an encouraging change from the declines recorded earlier in the year. The next set of monthly statistics will help establish whether this improvement continues.

Key indicators to watch include new and second-hand registrations, vehicle prices, import costs, financing conditions and any further changes to taxation or incentives affecting vehicle purchases.

The cumulative total will also remain important. Even if monthly registrations continue to rise, the market would need a substantial improvement to close the gap with 2025’s performance.

The NLTA’s monthly statistics will provide the clearest basis for assessing whether the late-year recovery develops into a more sustained trend.

Final Thought

Mauritius recorded 25.4% fewer vehicle registrations between January and September 2026 than during the same period in 2025. Although August and September showed year-on-year growth, the overall market remained significantly below its previous year’s level. The coming months will reveal whether this late-period improvement can continue and how the automotive sector responds to changing demand, vehicle costs and consumer purchasing decisions.