Sales of imported cars in South Korea slumped 15.8 percent last month from a year earlier, after an on-year rise the previous month, due to a supply shortage, industry data showed Tuesday.

In November, 19,361 new imported cars were registered, according to the data from the Korea Automobile Importers and Distribution Association.

The November reading also marks a 6.1 percent on-month fall, the data showed.

In the first 11 months of the year, foreign vehicle sales amounted to 205,162 units, down 6.5 percent from 219,534 units a year earlier.

Since peaking at a record monthly sale of 24,366 in December 2015, foreign auto sales have been on a decline due to the expiry of a special tax incentive and the recent ban on sales of Audi and Volkswagen car models here after an emissions scandal.

In October, imported vehicle sales rebounded aided by aggressive promotion and the release of new models.

Last month's best-selling brand was Mercedes Benz with sales of 5,724 units, followed by BMW with 5,340 and Lexus with 1,167, the data showed. (Yonhap)