Just 144 new tractors were licensed for the first time in September 2026, a fall of more than 20% from the 187 licensed in the same month last year, according to figures published today (Friday, October 9) by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The monthly decline interrupts what has otherwise been a strong year for new tractor sales. From January to September 2026, farmers and contractors licensed 2,286 new tractors, an 11% increase on the same nine-month period in 2025.

What happened to used imports?

Used, imported tractors also lost ground in September. Licences for second-hand tractors fell 18% year-on-year, to 205 units. The year-to-date picture is broadly flat: 2,108 used tractors were licensed between January and September 2026, up just 1% on 2025.

Taken together, the September numbers point to a softening in machinery demand at a point in the year when many buyers have historically finalised purchases ahead of the winter workload. One weak month does not break the annual trend — the new-tractor market remains firmly ahead of last year — but dealers will be watching whether the dip repeats in October before drawing conclusions.

Wider vehicle market context

The CSO's report on Vehicles Licensed for the First Time covers the whole national fleet, and the broader transport data shows the same mixed picture. Damien Lenihan, statistician in the transport section of the CSO, said: "Today's figures from the CSO show a 54% growth in the number of new private electric cars (EVs) licensed for the first time in September 2026 (3,074) when compared with the same month in 2025 (2,000)."

The used-import car market grew faster still. "The total number of used (imported) private cars licensed in September 2026 rose by 18% compared with September 2025 (8,013 vs 6,770)," Lenihan said.

Diesel continued to lose share on the second-hand forecourt. There were 1,525 used diesel private cars licensed in September 2026, compared with 1,585 a year earlier. Used petrol cars edged up 1%, from 2,892 to 2,923.

Goods vehicles — a category that includes many farm vans and commercial lorries — mirrored the tractor trend. Lenihan confirmed: "The total number of new goods vehicles licensed for the first time in September 2026 was 3,180, down 10% on September 2025 (3,520)."

Why the September dip matters for farmers

For machinery buyers, the registration data is a useful proxy for dealer stock movements and pricing pressure. A 23% single-month drop in new licences, combined with an 18% fall in used imports, suggests tighter volumes entering the autumn trade-in season.

The counterweight is the cumulative figure. With 2,286 new tractors licensed so far in 2026 against 2,108 used imports, the new market is running 11% ahead and the used market 1% ahead of last year's pace. Anyone planning a purchase before year-end will want to track the October CSO release — due in early November — to see whether September was a one-off or the start of a broader slowdown in machinery demand.