The number of dealer sites in the UK has increased for the first time since Experian Catalist began monitoring the figures in 2000.

In its report for the end of 2013 it says the overall total was 8,613, compared with 8,608 at the end of 2012. But the total for dealer sites increased from 5,125 to 5,339.

Hypermarket sites were up, from 1,306 to 1,347, but company-owned sites declined from 2,177 to 1,927.