Car sales in April indicated a rebound in consumer confidence in the UK as a previously moribund private market picked up to help drive a 3.3% rise in new registrations.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the new car sales rose to 142,322 units in April, 4,756 more than the same period last year with the Ford Fiesta leading the way. As a consequence the SMMT tweaked its 2012 forecast, predicting new registrations will rise 0.4% to 1.95m, reversing previous estimates of a slight decline.

Paul Everitt, the SMMT's chief executive, said: "We are seeing a steady increase in consumer confidence with growth in private demand, boosted by the arrival of a raft of new products."

Last year, fleet and business sales propped up a market that had struggled in terms of consumer sales. Consumer sales fell 14% last year but they are now recording double-digit growth.

Experts said the figures pointed to a rebound in consumer confidence. John Leech, UK head of automotive at KPMG, the consultancy, said: "As UK new car sales buck the recessionary trend, the resurgence in the sale of new cars is starting to gather momentum."

Leech added that a 15% surge in retail sales was encouraging for the wider economy. "Although this is a surprise, it comes on the back of strong February and March sales figures which should give confidence to the industry and the wider economy."

Richard Lowe, head of retail and wholesale at Barclays, said: "The consumer confidence we have seen over the past few months appears to be here to stay, with new car registrations up, and importantly private registrations growing by double digit figures. This is a welcome sign that even in what is usually a slow month the market is showing encouraging signs of growth."

The top ten:

1. Ford Fiesta 8,780

2. Vauxhall Corsa 6,184

3. Ford Focus 5,491

4. Vauxhall Astra 4,684

5. BMW 3 Series 3,737

6. VW Golf 3,600

7. VW Polo 3,579

8. Nissan Qashqai 2,990

9. Vauxhall Insignia 2,751

10 . Fiat 500 2,600