Car sales dodge pre-election breakdown and go up a gear to reach 10-year high

Britain's motor industry smashed records last month with the 38th consecutive increase in new car sales and the most April registrations since 2005

UK demand for new cars was unwavering in the face of political uncertainty last month as registrations hit a decade high.

Sales rose 5.1% to 185,778 vehicles in what was the strongest April since 2005, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) .

Related: Sales of small, fuel-efficient cars jump ahead as consumers seek to cut costs