Skoda is predicting a 25% increase in sales this year. During October sales for the Czech brand passed the 25,000 marker and year-to-date 25,168 units have been sold, comprising 24,158 cars and 1,010 commercial vehicles.

This result gives Skoda a 1.2% market share and represents a 21% increase on last year's figure.

Skoda director Rob Tracey said: "25,000 vehicle sales is a significant landmark for Skoda. We have now exceeded our 1999 sales result by almost 2,000 vehicles and we expect our year end result to show an overall 25% increase. "I am delighted so many people are discovering the advantages of driving our cars."

October also saw Fabia, Car of the Year 2000, take over as Skoda's bestseller in the UK, with 9,436 sold since launch in March.