Yorkshire car retailer JCT600 has reported a 23% increase in used car sales year on year, with an average of 1,000 used cars being sold across its 44 dealerships every month.

Sales director Andrew Coulthurst said: “Helped by the scrappage scheme and the lowering of VAT, we have sold more than 20,000 new and used cars to retail customers over the last 12 months.

He added: “December is traditionally one of our busiest times and we’re expecting another record month as value-conscious purchasers forsake a 2010 registration in favour of the 2.5% VAT saving.

"We have been preparing for this demand for some time and also bolstering our used car buying capability – we now have over 1,500 used cars in stock."

The dealer group is holding a Christmas sales event which aims to sell over 400 new and used cars between Christmas and New Year.

Coulthurst said: “We are offering every customer buying an approved used car £250 additional part exchange and a £250 discount from the screen price at selected dealerships from Christmas Eve until Monday 4th January."