Citroen, whose C5 made a UK debut at the Birmingham motor show, has dismissed accusations of large-scale pre-registering, claiming rising sales are a result of June price cuts.

Mark Raven, public affairs director, said Citroen's UK September registration total – which leapt 95% year-on-year to 15,290 – was due to the price cuts in June. Saxo dropped by £1,000, with similar reductions on Xsara.

Mr Raven said: “All manufacturers pre-register cars – some as demonstrators. Citroen will conform with the Government's requirements and we have told dealers that pre-registered cars no longer count for bonuses.”

He said 60% of September sales was retail business, a “promising” sign that buyers were returning to the market. Since June Citroen has improved market share by 1% over the same period last year, to just over 4%. Mr Raven said it was an “extraordinary result” considering Xsara and XM were on run-out and Xantia was being replaced.