Fewer cars on the road as recession hits home

More than 31 million cars were used in the UK in 2009 but this figure was 0.7 per cent down on the previous year as the recession took its toll.

Another reason for the drop was the Government's scrappage scheme – which let drivers trading in 10-year-old cars to claim a 2,000 subsidies towards new ones.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which compiled the figures, said it was the first year-on-year fall in peacetime since vehicle records began in 1904.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: "The recession is the most obvious factor impacting on the number of cars on the roads.

"The scrappage incentive scheme has also removed a large number of older and more polluting vehicles.

"Alongside these economic factors, tough enforcement has helped remove unlicensed vehicles from UK roads."

Silver cars continued to be most popular, followed by blue, black and red.

On average, cars emitted less carbon dioxide than in the previous year, the SMMT said, with more than 936,000 vehicles releasing less than 120g per kilometre.

Mr Everitt said: "Significant advances in technology, higher fuel costs and innovative design are affecting the types of models on the road, raising the appeal of more fuel-efficient vehicles and making them more accessible to buyers."

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said the drop was "likely to be a blip rather than the start of a trend".

He added: The population is forecast to rocket by 10 million in the next couple of decades and these people will need to get about.

"We know people are driving less on an individual basis, and lifestyle changes might mean more people working from home in the future, but with 90 per cent of passenger journeys already being made on the roads, population growth and economic recovery will almost inevitably mean more cars."

The figures came as carmakers Renault, Nissan and Daimler revealed plans to co-operate more to share costs.