New car registrations reached their highest since the start of the recession in 2012, but fleet sales showed only a modest improvement, whilse small businesses showed a 9.5% decline.

Official figures for car registrations in 2012 recorded by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show private registrations increased by almost 13% in 2012 helping registrations improve by 5.3% overall to 2,044,609 units.

Registrations to fleets - sales of more than 25 cars - increased by just 0.6%. The combined market share of fleet and business registrations fell to 54.5% in 2012 from 57.6% in 2011.

Diesel cars reached their highest ever market share in 2012 with 50.8% - a total of almost 1.04m units, with registrations of alternative fuel vehicles (including hybrids) reached 27,841 units and 1.4% marker share.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt was pleased with 2012's performance and hoped for a similar volume of new cars in 2013.

"Boosted by strong consumer demand, the market grew at its fastest rate for 11 years with innovative, fuel-efficient cars keeping buyers in showrooms. Looking ahead to 2013, we anticipate the market will hold firm, with manufacturers and dealers working hard to deliver quality and value to motorists."

The best selling car in the UK in 2012 was the Ford Fiesta, with more than 109,000 units sold.

• For a full analysis of fleet car registrations in 2012, look out for the January edition of Ignition on January 17.

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