Car sales through February tumbled to their lowest level in seven years as evidence grows the economy has stalled ahead of the looming federal election.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries reported on Tuesday that 87,102 new vehicles were sold across the country last month. It was a 9.3 per cent fall on the same month in 2018.

Through the first two months of 2019, the nation's car lovers bought 169,096 new vehicles, an 8.4 per cent drop on the start of last year.

Car sales have fallen to their lowest February level since 2012. Credit:Nicholas Walker

The last time so few vehicles were bought in February was in 2012.