The truck industry expects September's registration figures will be better than previous months.
"This is the last month when the UK Government's Reduced Pollution Certificate incentive will be available for Euro 5 trucks," said Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Added to that is the prospect of big price rises caused by Sterling's fall against the euro, still high stocks at dealers as well as the "59" registration plate change and its effect on residual values. All these add up to the prospect of better figures in September.

"Once Euro 5 becomes mandatory from 1 October, the RPC incentive for Euro 5 trucks stops, so there is a one-off opportunity to add around £5,000 to the value of a heavy truck over its ten-year life. An operator only needs to register a qualifying truck before the deadline to cash-in; he doesn't need to use the truck at once."

The RPC pays up to £500 a year for the life of the truck and it transfers from one owner to the next But the RPC is only available for trucks registered by 30 September 2009. "Miss the date and you'll miss the money," said Dickeson.

While these factors look likely to deliver better truck registration figures in September, the industry expects bleaker figures for the rest of the year. "We could see annual figures at or near a record low before they start a slow recovery."