2016 was another record year for the UK car market with registrations up for the fifth year in a row to 2,692,786, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Overall, 2.3 per cent more cars were sold than in 2015. Fleets accounted for 1.38 million units, while the private market was 1.2 million.

Diesel and petrol cars took 47.7 and 49.0 per cent of the market respectively but alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) were up 22.2 per cent. Plug-in hybrids were up by 41.9 per cent and petrol electric hybrids by 25.1 per cent. More than 10,000 fully electric cars were sold, up 3.3 per cent on 2015.

The biggest selling model was Ford’s Fiesta with over 120,000 cars sold, followed by the Vauxhall Astra stover 77,000 sales.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Despite 2016’s political and economic uncertainties, the UK’s new car market delivered another record performance as car makers offered an incredible range of innovative and high tech models. 2017 may well be more challenging as sterling depreciation raises the price of imported goods but, with interest rates still at historic lows and a range of new models arriving in 2017, there are still many reasons for consumers to consider a new car in 2017. Looking longer term, the strength of this market will rest on our ability to maintain our current trading relations and, in particular, avoid tariff barriers which could add significantly to the cost of a new car.”