NEW car sales in Scotland hit record levels in March, as the UK as a whole enjoyed its best month this century for new vehicle registrations.

Drivers north of the Border purchased 44,826 new cars last month, a year-on-year increase of 2.5 per cent and the highest volume of sales ever recorded in a single month in Scotland.

It also represents a near eight-fold rise on sales in February, when 5,775 new cars were purchased.

March and September are traditionally the busiest months for dealerships as the new number plates become available.

Douglas Robertson, chief executive of the Scottish Motor Trade Association, said: "Though the increase is small it is close to what we expected. Whilst fleet and business sales have increased over the last 12 months the Scottish market remains consumer driven and we have little doubt that the availability of [personal contract purchases] and other finance options continues to drive the market."

The Strathclyde region, covering Greater Glasgow, experienced the highest surge in new car sales year-on-year, up by more than eight per cent to 23,664 units - more than half of all new cars sold in Scotland.

In comparison, rural areas such as Grampian and the Borders - which often showed the strongest growth last year - were down by 12 and 10 per cent respectively.

The Vauxhall Corsa remained Scotland's most popular new car for the fifth month in a row, with sales up 28 per cent year-on-year to 4,101 in March 2015.

The Vauxhall Mokka, the sixth most popular new car among Scottish motorists, saw the biggest year-on-year spike with sales up 56 per cent to 1,514.

At the top end of the market, Scots also splashed out on 11 Aston Martins, 14 Bentleys, seven Ferraris and four Lamborghinis.

It came as the UK as a whole recorded its best month this century for new car sales, with 492,774 snapped up in March - a six per cent increase on the same month last year.

It was the best month for UK-wide sales since the twice-yearly number plate changes were introduced in 1999 and represents a 37th consecutive month of growth for the industry - although there had been hopes that the half a million barrier might be smashed.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said: "The challenge for a new government and industry will be to maintain this momentum and to strengthen Britain's manufacturing capabilities through continued investment, innovation and policies which maintain our global competitiveness.

"Whatever the general election result, the new government must keep up the commitment to the sector which is delivering at home and abroad."

John Leech, Head of Automotive for KPMG in the UK, added: "In our view, new car sales will strengthen further in 2015 as consumer confidence continues to rise.

"The industry continues to support the market with attractive consumer finance packages and 2015 is seeing increasing new car sales from consumers who bought cars on finance deals three years ago.

"Sterling has recovered roughly half the value it lost during 2008/9 and if it rises further this could make new car prices even cheaper, further bolstering the market."