Glasgow-based Arnold Clark Automobiles, Scotland’s biggest privately-owned company, said its 2016 turnover rose 9.2% to a record £3.66 billion and operating profit rose £14.1 million to £135.8 million.

Used car sales increased 12.7% to 197,842 while new car sales fell 4.3% to 80,203.

Arnold Clark CEO Eddie Hawthorne said: “In 2017, we expect market conditions to be challenging for the UK motor industry as the Brexit negotiations are ongoing …

“We anticipate that the new car market will remain relatively flat with modest underlying growth in the used car market.”

Arnold Clark, who founded the business in Glasgow in 1954, died in April, aged 89.