However, the consumer confidence indicator was down 13 points on October 2011 and 14 points below last year's average, the Statistics Office reported on Tuesday.

October saw an increase in all five indicators showing consumers' expectations except for the outlook for expenditure for major purchases over the next 12 months, which dropped on the month before.

Indicators showing consumers' sentiment about the present and past situation also rose, except for the opinion about the general economic situation in the country in the past year and the assessment of the household's current financial state.

The prospects for the purchase of a car over the next 12 months, which are measured on a quarterly basis, improved by 6 percentage points on July. The indicator was five points up year-on-year and three points above last year's average.

Quizzed about the likelihood of a member of their household buying a car over the next 12 months, 64% of those questioned ruled out the possibility, while 29% said it was not very likely, 6% opted for likely and 2% for very likely.