Auto Trader has reported a significant increase in new car searches, apparently confirming the rise in private demand noted by the SMMT.

More than 6m unique users searched for new cars on Auto Trader last year, an increase of 21.2% compared with 2011.

Last year the company enhanced its new car search functionality by introducing new, nearly new and used car filters.

It says this resulted in a 39% increase in new car leads to dealers.

The ‘Top 10 most searched new cars on Auto Trader’ were:

1. BMW 3-series    
2. Ford Focus     
3. Volkswagen Golf   
4. Ford Fiesta    
5. BMW 1-series    
6. Mercedes-Benz C-Class  
7. Honda Civic    
8. Audi A3     
9. Vauxhall Astra
10. Audi A4           

Nathan Coe, group director at Auto Trader, said: “Auto Trader now attracts more than 500,000 potential new car buyers each month to search and compare new cars, and view over 8,000 new cars in stock offered by our dealer customers. Search ‘peaks’ occur in March, July and September.”