In the past five years, the amount of used higher end passenger car brands imported has dramatically overshadowed sales of new cars from the local agents, with only 9.8 per cent of BMWs and 13.2 per cent of Jaguars being bought new.

Mercedes fared slightly better, with 20.8 per cent of owners still going to the local agents, and Audi even better with over a third, according to statistics provided through Transport Malta.

The Business Observer reported two weeks ago that between 2009 and 2013, 29,223 used cars were brought in by individuals, with a further 13,555 imported by used-car dealers.

During the same five years, the authorised agents sold 27,971 cars – just under 40 per cent of the total.

The new car sector was hit in 2009 when the registration tax was cut to almost a third of its ­previous level.