Latest figures from the Finance and Leasing Association showed finance provision rose to £1,746m for new cars. Year-on-year figures for the used car finance sector showed a 1 per cent increase to £614m in March. Geraldine Kilkelly, FLA's head of research, said: “The early part of 2006 has seen tentative signs of recovery in the fortunes of dealer finance. However, market conditions remain tough and the industry will need to work hard to sustain the positive start to the year."