A total 65,937 new vehicles were registered last month - a 10.9% increase on August 2012, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

This took the year-so-far total to 1,391,788 - a 10.4% rise compared with the January-August period last year.

With sales from the new 63 number plates introduced this month still to be counted, the SMMT reckons total new-car sales in 2013 could reach just under 2.22 million - a 8.4% rise on the 2012 total.

The SMMT's new chief executive Mike Hawes said: "UK new car registrations have now risen consecutively for a year and a half.

"Private and fleet buyers are clearly capitalising on attractive deals and new technologies against a backdrop of increasing economic confidence. The August rise bodes well for the new 63 plate."