A slowdown within sales of new cars is reducing the price of new and used models, it has been claimed.

Steve Fowler, editor of What Car? magazine, told BBC Radio 5 Live's Wake Up To Money programme that the new car market is not in as "healthy" a state as some suggest.

"We're seeing a lot of statistics come out saying registrations are up, things are looking good, but they hide the real truth: registrations aren't the same as sales," Mr Fowler stated.

There is a high volume of new cars coming to the market which come to forecourts as pre-registered vehicles at "knock-down prices", he explained, adding that used car prices are reduced as a result.

Earlier in the month, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported that October was the fourth consecutive month to see double-digit growth in car production.

Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of the organisation, said that there was "strong demand" for new models.

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