Britain's used vehicle market was up 13.9 per cent to 2,283,426 units in the first three months of this year, according to figures released by the SMMT.

Used car sales climbed 13.5 per cent to 1,961,340 units while used LCV sales were up 16.4 per cent to 197,455. Used truck sales also rose, by 5.9 per cnet to 20,154 units.

Says SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan: “The used vehicle market is at its strongest ever. More used cars have been sold in the first quarter of 2003 than in any other quarter since records began.”