September new car registrations grew by 8.6% year-on-year to a record 462,517 cars, with strong fleet sales driving most of the growth, according to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

This was the highest number of cars ever registered in a September, the SMMT said.

Fleet sales increased by 15.2% year-on-year to 207,702. Private sales were also up compared to the previous September, but only by 3.0%, to 227,808.

Petrol engines accounted for just over half (51.4%) of all sales, at 237,896, while diesel cars also continued to sell strongly, with 212,505 cars sold.

Alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFVs) sales grew by 21.7% year-on-year to 12.116.

The total number of cars registered in 2015 by the end of September was 2,096,886 – 7.1% higher than at the same point last year. This marked the first time that the 2m mark had been passed by this point in the year since 2004.

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Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, "September is traditionally one of the year’s biggest months for new car registrations, and last month set an autumn record. With plenty of attractive, affordable deals available on the new 65-plate, Britain’s car buyers – whether private, fleet or business consumers – were busier than ever. The market reached pre-recession levels some time ago, and we anticipate some levelling off in the coming months. It is too early to draw conclusions, but customer demand for diesel remained strong, accounting for one in two cars registered."

Sue Robinson, director of National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), said: "In what is typically considered a high volume month for registrations, it brings great news that the 64-plate change this month is the best performing month since September 2004.

"The fleet market remains strong with a 15.2% increase as business confidence grows, and in turn encourages businesses to invest in new vehicles.

"The NFDA is hopeful that the growth and stability of the market shown by the latest plate change will continue through the remainder of the year."

Richard Jones, managing director at Black Horse, said: "Manufacturer support remains strong, whilst low interest rate environment and strong use of PCP continue to drive new car sales. Despite the potential of an interest rate rise, we expect this growth to continue, albeit at a more modest rate for remainder of 2015."

By brand

Despite the fuel emissions scandal involving Volkswagen, which erupted in mid-to-late September, VW sales increased 3.73% compared to the previous September to 39,263, while Audi sales increased by 11.36% over the same period to 28,437.

Ford, the best-selling brand in the UK, sold 55,083 cars in September, up slightly from the 54,322 it sold in September 2014, while Vauxhall sales increased by 6.9% to 43,848 in the same period.

In general, prestige German manufacturers had a good month. As well as strong Audi sales growth, BMW and Mercedes sales increased by 19.37% and 18.08% respectively, compared to the same month in 2014, to 29,713 and 27,610.