Ford and Vauxhall are the worst offenders in the latest SMMT pre-registration figures, accounting for nearly 90% of the 315 cars pre-registered in January.

The SMMT figures reveal UK market leader Ford pre-registered 200 vehicles, worth £1.6m, in January, with Vauxhall a distant second with 82 (£451,882).

Carmakers are required to publish pre-registration figures each month under the Supply of New Cars Order established last year by Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers.

In total, nine manufacturers pre-registered vehicles. Toyota registered 15 cars, Citroen and Skoda seven, while Hyundai, Peugeot, Renault and Suzuki registered one apiece.