During October, cars sales fell 23% to 128,352, reflecting the deteriorating economy.

Sales of new cars fell 21%  in September, despite the introduction of new '58' number plates, and by 19% in August. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which releases the data, sales last fell by more than a quarter back in June 1991.

The dreadful figures were underlined by dismal results from the world's largest carmaker, Japan's Toyota, which said that this year's operating profit would be 63% lower than expected due to an "unprecedented" sales collapse in Europe.