DEMAND for used vehicles is rocketing, with latest figures showing 2,282,326 cars were sold during the first quarter of this year, dwarfing the market for new cars and vans.

Used car sales climbed 13.5% to 1,961,340 units, while light commercial vehicle sales reached 197,455, a 16.4% rise and heavy goods vehicles sales reached 20,154, up 5.9%.

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: '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. It's great to see the last two years of strong growth in new car and CV registrations are being reflected in the sales of used vehicles.'