Figures from the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) have highlighted continuing buoyancy in the UK's new car finance sector.

According to the organisation's latest data, February saw an annual 31 per cent increase in new car finance, while penetration of the private new car registrations market rose by 71.9 per cent over the same period.

Paul Harrison, head of motor finance at the FLA, noted: "The government must make sure that its new regulatory regime for consumer credit maintains a competitive marketplace and supports the continued availability of affordable credit for customers."

However, he added that at present, the finance sector continues to outpace growth in new car registrations overall.

The news follows the recent publication of the latest BCA Pulse, which showed a "hardening" of the UK's used car values in recent months.

Prices have dipped since the start of the year to £7,000 in March – although they still stand considerably higher than in the same month of 2012 (£5,752).

Need help recording your fleet's CO2 emissions?

Louise Carr of The Fuelcard People can help you count, control and cut your fleets CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions with our unique product CO2Count.

The UK Fuels fuel card is just one of the many products which she can offer you in conjunction with CO2Count to help you reduce your fleet's carbon footprint.

Posted by Louise Carr, Account Manager, The Fuelcard People.