'Excellent' deals in UK showrooms led to the continuing rise in new car registrations last month, according to the SMMT.

In May registrations rose by 2.3% to 198,619 units and year-to-date sales topped 1,053,703, 3% up on 2000.

Demand from private buyers increased 12.4% to 92,032 units. Diesel car demand rose 25.6% in May to 33,891 units.

Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, said: “This is the eighth consecutive month in which we've seen a rise in new car registrations. And of course I'm delighted with this excellent news.

“With so many people taking advantage of the excellent deals on offer in UK showrooms, there can be few who would argue that anywhere other than the local franchised dealer is the best place to buy a new car.”

The forecast for total registrations this year is 2.25 million units. This has remained unchanged since the beginning of the year.

Top 10 registrations in May
1. Focus 11,169 units
2. Astra 8,496
3. 206 8,211
4. Corsa 7,909
5. Mondeo 7,810
6. Fiesta 7,611
7. Megane 6,443
8. Golf 5,924
9. Xsara 5,592
10. Vectra 5,263

Year-to-date registrations
1. Focus 60,118
2. 206 44,883
3. Astra 43,257
4. Mondeo 41,341
5. Fiesta 39,607
6. Corsa 37,144
7. Clio 32,505
8. Megane 31,092
9. Punto 29,400
10. Golf 28,875

For a breakdown of manufacturer UK market penetration, provided by the SMMT click here.