Boosted by the new 63-plate, “Super September” saw a total of 403,136 registrations, up by 12.1% according to the figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Private registrations were up 17.9% but there was also growth for the fleet sector, with demand up 5.4% to 170,569 units from 161,863 in September last year.

The sub-25 business sector saw stronger growth of 15.3%, bringing registrations up to 23,723 units from 20,580 for September last year.

The latest figures mean the UK’s new car market is up 10.8% year to date to a total of 1,794,924 units. Private demand rose 16.7% for the first nine months of the year while the fleet market increased 4.8% to 842,274 units from 803,464 for the same period last year. Strong growth was also seen in the business sector, which rose 15.3% for the first nine months of 2013, up to 83,229 for the same period last year.

Commenting on the figures, Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: ‘With over 400,000 new cars registered for the first time in more than five years, the UK market is reflecting growing economic confidence. Robust private demand has played a major role in this growth with customers attracted by exciting, increasingly fuel-efficient new models that offer savings in the cost of ownership.’

He added: ‘This is the 19th consecutive month of steady growth and, with fleet and business demand still to reach pre-recession levels, we believe the performance to be sustainable. The latest 63-plate should deliver positive results into next year.’

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