There were 300,308 licensed motor vehicles in the Maltese islands in the first three months of this year.

The National Statistics Office said 76.4 per cent were private vehicles, with commercial vehicles accounting for 15.8 per cent.

A total of 3,786 new licenses were issued between January and March. 2,992 (79 per cent) were for new licences, the majority of which were private vehicles falling within 'Class 1' (<1300 cc).

These accounted for 1,360 licences. Class 5 vehicles (1801-2000 cc) were next in line with 501 licences.

Newly-licensed 'new' motor vehicles amounted to 1,280, or 33.8 per cent of the total. A total of 2,506 ‘used’ motor vehicles were newly licensed during the quarter.

During this period, 17 vehicles were exported. Scrapped vehicles numbered 1,148, including 53.2 per cent 'Class 1' vehicles.