Strong incentives from manufacturers and dealers pushed up registrations 8.4% in February on the eve of the new March number plate.
Deals encouraged 22.6% more private buyers to sign on the dotted line and they were more interested in EVs and hybrids as well.
SMMT figures out show 83,395 new cars registered in February, the highest in 12 years at this time of year.
In Wales, the top ten models sold in February were:
Fiesta, Focus, Mokka, Kuga, Corsa, Ecosport, Astra, Polo, Golf and Sportage.
Registrations in Wales rose the highest in the UK regions at 9.33% up in the month to 2,426 cars.
February top ten in UK:
Fiesta, Golf, Qashqai, Corsa, Focus, Astra, A3, Polo, Sportage and Mokka.