Sales of cars move up a gear, but not in Scotland

The higher proportion of private buyers north of the Border led to sales dropping by nearly 4 per cent to 175,383, compared to a 1.8 per cent rise to 2.03 million in the UK. Scotland was also worst hit last month, with the big freeze contributing to sales slumping by almost one quarter, against an 18 per cent UK fall.

However, a motoring group said that should mean better deals for buyers and spur dealers to improve customer service.

Car sales are regarded as a barometer of consumer confidence because vehicles are among people's biggest purchases.

The poor figures show the sales boost provided until March by the scrappage scheme - which gave owners of older cars 2,000 trade-in discounts - sharply tailed off.

The Scottish Motor Trade Association, which represents dealers, was hopeful of a recovery later this year.

Chief executive Douglas Robertson said: "Obviously, these figures are disappointing for our dealers and it is difficult to quantify just how much the decrease was caused by the extreme weather conditions in Scotland in the first half of the month.

"The year-on-year decrease also reflects the fact that in Scotland private buyers are a higher percentage of the registrations than is the case south of the Border, and we feel these figures reflect the uncertainty that Scottish consumers felt in the latter part of the year.

"However, we are optimistic that in the second half of 2011, as the economic recovery grows, new car registration figures will reflect consumers' increasing confidence."

The Vauxhall Corsa was Scotland's best-selling car last year, but it only made fourth place across the UK, beaten by the best-selling Ford Fiesta, and the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists said the downturn should be good news for buyers.

Policy and research director Neil Greig said: "Tough times for dealers should mean more competition and better deals for the private buyer. Shop around the local dealers and make sure you do your research before you buy.

"For car dealers, this is a wake-up call for better customer service. The individual buyer is king in Scotland now and any dealers who don't treat them properly will lose out even more."

Philip Gomm, of the Royal Automobile Club Foundation, said: "It is likely to be the small car market which is most resilient as record fuel prices push buyers towards the most economical models."

Automobile Association spokesman Paul Watters said: "Scottish drivers are caught in a dilemma as many are keen to change their car for one that is cheaper to run, given the high cost of fuel, but the economic situation has also dented their confidence in shelling out."

Top sellers

1 Vauxhall Corsa

2 Vauxhall Astra

3 Ford Fiesta

4 Ford Focus

5 Renault Clio

6 Nissan Qashqai

7 Renault Megane

8 Volkswagen Polo

9 Volkswagen Golf

10 Mini