Demand from British motorists for UK-built cars has gone off a cliff, plunging by more than a quarter as confusion over diesel and Brexit-related economic worries hit.

Official data on the number of cars rolling off production lines in Britain revealed a collapse in the amount destined for UK drivers, with the number falling by 28.1pc in November on a year-on-year basis.

Of the total 169,247 cars built in the UK in the month, just 24,276 were destined to hit domestic roads.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) which collated the numbers, blamed the crash on “Brexit uncertainty, coupled with confusion over diesel taxation and air quality plans”.

He added that sales of new cars in the UK highlighted the problem. November's registrations of new cars data – which does not account for where a vehicle was built – recorded a 11.2pc drop.