DEMAND for low emission vehicles has helped UK car sales increase for a 39th consecutive month, a report has said.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed 198,706 vehicles were sold in May, which was 2.4 per cent higher than a year ago.

The number was boosted by a strong rise in sales of ultra-low emission plug-in models, which hit more than 11,800 between January and May, compared to 2,838 registrations across the same time last year.

The SMMT said the lift in conventional car sales was supported by Wearside car maker Nissan, with the Sunderland-made Qashqai and Juke among the list of best sellers.

The factory also makes the all-electric Leaf.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said it anticipates the growing interest in low emission cars to persist, but predicted a slowdown across the wider market.

He added: “The remarkable growth in demand for plug-in vehicles is expected to continue as the range of ultra-low emission vehicles on sale increases.

“We also anticipate a natural levelling out of the overall new car market throughout the remainder of 2015.”

According to the SMMT figures, the Ford Fiesta was the best-seller in May, with 9,349 registrations, followed by the Ford Focus’ 7,355 and the Vauxhall Corsa’s 6,513.

Motorists bought 3,978 Nissan Qashqais and 3,897 Nissan Jukes in the period.

The Fiesta is the top-selling model for the year to date, with almost 60,000 sales, followed by the Corsa, with 40,564 and Focus with 35,989.