Slump in new cars on roads

NEW vehicle registrations fell 6 per cent last year – the first drop since 2011.

Motoring groups said the decline was partly down to a slump in sales caused by drivers rushing to beat a road tax overhaul last April that ‘clobbered’ buyers of lower emission cars. They now pay up to £140 a year in tax – compared to no more than £30 if registered before that date.

The AA described the changes as a ‘tax grab’ that confused drivers. In total, 3.1million vehicles were registered last year, Department for Transport figures show.