New car sales soar

UK new car sales enjoy their strongest September in 10 years.

A total of 425,861 were registered last month – a rise of 5.6% and the biggest September since 2004.

Boosted by confidence in the economic recovery, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, September also marked the 31st consecutive month of growth in the new car market.

Almost two million new cars have been sold so far in 2014 – 9.1% up on the same period last year.

Once again, the Ford Fiesta was Britain’s best-selling in September – a position its held since 2009 when it overtook the Ford Focus. Earlier this year the Fiesta also became the top selling car of all time in the UK.

Top 10 cars (September)

1) Ford Fiesta 23,266
2) Ford Focus 13,508
3) Volkswagen Golf 13,011
4) Vauxhall Corsa 12,506
5) Volkswagen Polo 10,312
6) Fiat 500 9,122
7) Vauxhall Astra 8,861
8) Audi A3 7,317
9) Peugeot 208 6,968
10) Nissan Qashqai 6,847

Top 10 cars (year to date)

1) Ford Fiesta 106,930
2) Ford Focus 67,015
3) Vauxhall Corsa 62,693
4) Volkswagen Golf 58,664
5) Vauxhall Astra 47,482
6) Nissan Qashqai 38,920
7) Volkswagen Polo 36,772
8) Audi A3 35,596
9) Fiat 500 35,032
10) BMW 3 Series 29,655