UK new car sales hit a ten-year high

UK new car sales continue to scale new heights, with more new cars sold in March 2014 than in any month in the past decade.

Sales figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that 464,824 new cars were registered last month – a 17.7% rise over March 2014. It continues the trend of rocketing sales, with year-to-date registrations up 13.7%.

March is traditionally a strong month for sales due to the introduction of a new registration pre-fix, in this case the new 14-plate.

March 2014 was also a record month for sales of alternatively-fuelled (hybrid and electric vehicles), with 8,713 sold - an increase of  63.8% over the same month last year.

By Leo Wilkinson, senior editor, MSN Cars