The number of commercial vehicles (CV) registered in the UK rose again in March.

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed 54,232 vans and trucks were listed, an increase of 11.4 per cent compared to the same period the year before. Some 87,491 vehicles have gone through the registration process so far in 2014, 10.8 per cent higher than in 2013.

The van market again led the charge, seeing a 14.6 per cent jump to 50,064. The survey stated this was in line with expectations, being that the number plate changes which occur in March and September account for around a third of annual registrations. 

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, explained: "Registration plate changes always prove popular with van buyers, so March and September are typically more than double the average month."

Despite the optimism, the study showed the truck market is still suffering from the Euro 6 regulations. The number of registrations fell again by 16.5 per cent last month, with only 4,168 vehicles being listed.