Sales of Jaguars and Land Rovers rose in the UK last month, according to the September registration figures.

Jaguar’s new diesel XF helped to drive the UK sales surge after Jaguar sold 3,295 cars last month compared to 2,929 in September 2009, a 12.5 per cent increase, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Land Rover also enjoyed a healthy rise last month, selling 6,230 vehicles compared to 5,788 in September 2010, a 7.64 per cent jump.

The sales increases will help to offset a fall in figures year on year compared to 2010, with Jaguar down 13.68 per cent after selling 11,337 so far compared to 13,133 in the first nine months of 2010.

Meanwhile, Land Rover currently stands 6.84 per cent down on last year, after selling 28,684 vehicles to September compared to 30,790 for the same nine-month period in 2010.

Meanwhile, across the country more than 330,000 new cars were sold last month, less than one per cent fewer than a year ago.

The society said 2011 would be a “challenging” year, with an expected full-year sales total of 1.92 million, five per cent below 2010.

Paul Everitt, the SMMT’s chief executive, said: “The all-important September market outperformed expectations and is less than one per cent below last year at 332,476 units.

“We expected 2011 to be a challenging year and we are on track for a full year total of around 1.92 million new car registrations, five per cent below 2010.

“SMMT has revised down its 2012 registrations forecast to 1.96 million units, a reflection of the continued weakness in UK domestic demand and the uncertainty across European economies.

“It is important Government acts to sustain an investment-led recovery and implements measures to encourage more private sector investment in research and development, skills, new plants and machinery.”

The Ford Fiesta was the best selling model last month in the year to date, followed by the ford Focus.

September is the second largest month for new car sales after March, representing almost 17 per cent of the annual market.