Used car sales in the first three months of this year were the highest quarterly total ever recorded, at 2,005,660 units, according to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures. Volume was 2.25% up on 2003’s first quarter, despite the strong new market.

Christopher Macgowan, the SMMT chief executive, says: “The British public continues to show its love of cars by buying in record numbers. The growth of used car sales in quarter one is following the lead of the new car market, which we expect to hit the 2.6m mark in 2004.”

First quarter used light commercial vehicle sales were 12% up on a year ago, at 221,601 units, while used heavy truck sales increased by 7% to 21,584. Both were record quarterly totals.