Brexit uncertainty leads fall in diesel vehicles sale by 20 pct

British new car registrations fell by around an annual 3 per cent last month as uncertainty over diesel and Brexit continued to hit consumer confidence, according to preliminary data from an industry body. Sales of diesel vehicles fell by around 20 per cent whilst the demand for petrol cars rose by roughly 5 per cent, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

March is a major selling month in Britain as it is one of two occasions each year when the licence plate series changes. The SMMT will release final figures for the month at 0800 GMT on Thursday.