UK new car registrations rose 11% or 17,823 units in May to 180,111 units, with fleet and business registrations accounting for 95,909 units – 53.3% of the market.

May's new car market secured the 15th successive month of growth and the largest May volume in six years.

Compared to May, 2012, fleet and business volumes were up by 3.5% (3,294 units), while registrations for the year-to-date were up by almost 2.8% from 471,793 units to 488,095.

"The performance of new car registrations in May marks a significant milestone for UK automotive, with cars registered by private buyers rising more than 20%, bettering pre-recession volumes posted in 2007," said SMMT interim chief executive Mike Baunton.

"While it is clear that buying confidence among UK motorists is very strong, continued economic uncertainty abroad, particularly in the rest of Europe, will mean that manufacturers remain cautious about performance in the second half of 2013."

Private demand grew 20.9% in May, and pushed volumes back above 2007 pre-recession levels. Private registrations over the first five months of the year have risen 16.2%.

The growth reflects a combination of factors, which may include consumers returning to the new car market after delaying regular replacement cycles, motorists replacing vehicles bought under the Scrappage Incentive Scheme, motorists switching to more efficient vehicles in every class and attractive offers catching the attention of buyers with funds and access to finance.

A switch from used to new may also be occurring, as the recession-induced dip in new car sales restricts the supply of used cars.

Mini segment cars have seen the strongest growth so far in 2013, although most segments have posted increases.

Small cars tend to be petrol-fuelled and petrol-powered cars have seen the strongest growth so far in 2013, up 14%.

The Ford Fiesta was the best-selling model in both the month and year-to-date.

Best sellers

May			Year-to-date
Fiesta	9,316		Fiesta	51,708
Focus	7,522		Focus	38,547
Corsa	6,634		Corsa	37,279
Golf	5,247		Astra	26,657
Astra	5,211		Golf	26,256
Qashqai	4,243		Qashqai	22,605
3 Series	3,828		Polo	18,584
Polo	3,201		208	17,166
208	3,083		3 Series	16,156
A3	3,055		Juke	15,623