The data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that 178,876 cars were registered in the month, an increase of 3.8% over November 2014. This follows October figures that brought the car market’s first decline in monthly registrations following a record 43 months of growth. Meanwhile the overall market in the first 11 months of 2015 has seen 6.2% growth to 2,453,426 units.

The fleet market remained positive, with registrations of 94,462 units up 8.7% on the 86,903 units recorded in November 2014. However the sub-25 business market saw a drop of 31.9% from 7,961 units to 5,420.

Year-to-date, the fleet sector is up 11.6% to 1,214,563 units from 1,087,941 for the first 11 months of 2014. In contrast the business sector has seen a fall of 5.3% from 107,346 units to 101,649. Overall, 2,453,426 cars have been registered in the year-to-date – an increase of 6.2% over the same period last year.

The figures also show that demand for both petrol and diesel models remains robust with respective gains of 3.8% and 3.6%. However, Volkswagen’s overall registrations fell 20% following the emissions crisis whilst SEAT was down 23.8%, Skoda fell 11% and Audi was down 4.4%.

The figures also show that the popularity of alternatively fuelled vehicles continues to grow with an 8.6% uplift.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “November’s figures come as a reminder of the strength of the UK car market, as low interest rates and competitive finance deals continue to attract consumers to new car ownership. We have been expecting a levelling-off in demand for some time now – a development that is being realised following an unprecedented three-and-a-half years of non-stop growth.”