Lookers reports that its quarter two sales have been buoyed by strong trading from its used car and aftermarket operations.

The dealer group today issued an interim management statement ahead of the end of its first six months of trading on June 30.

In April the company said its quarter one performance had been ahead of expectations, and it now says the encouraging performance has continued through quarter two, after strong used car sales and growth from its aftersales and parts businesses.

Ken Surgenor, chief executive, said: "Our diversified business model and market-leading aftersales offering coupled with the cost savings we are realising is enabling us to trade resiliently through a tough market."

The dealer group continues to be in advanced discussions with its finance providers to ensure that its financing arrangements remain appropriate for the current market conditions.

It aims to ensure that funding is appropriately structured, establishing a sound financing structure for the medium term.