LCV registrations were up 8.9% in May at 27,531 units, but down 0.1% in the year to May at 138,113, according to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ figures.

Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, said: ‘We expect low June figures for similar reasons and then look forward to more distortion in the autumn as operators try to beat the Euro IV deadline at the end of September. Van registrations were down a little, as expected, unaffected by digital tachographs but waiting for recently announced new models to arrive.’