Average wholesale used car values fell by 4.4 per cent in 2010 compared with 2009, according to Manheim Remarketing.

The average age of vehicles increased by three months to 51 months and average mileage also rose, up 4,009 to 53,605 miles.

The fleet sector experienced the biggest decrease in 2010 as average values fell by 7.2 per cent while manufacturer stock fell just 1.1 per cent. Dealer part exchange prices actually rose by 5.5 per cent.

In December average wholesale used car values fell 4.1 per cent to £6,569 following two months of increases.

However the overall fall in values couldn’t dampen the demand for 4x4s where values increased in both the Dealer and Manufacturer sectors.

Manheim Remarketing managing director Mike Pilkington said: “After a dramatic rebound in values during 2009, it was perhaps inevitable that with the continued economic uncertainty there would be a fall in values in 2010 and a return to more traditional patterns of price seasonality.

“The poor weather provided an additional challenge in December but the availability of our online buying channels helped keep the market moving with record sales for us online in the month.

“The inclement weather at the start and end of 2010 has certainly boosted 4×4 values across all wholesale sectors despite record fuel prices.”

From MOTORTRADER.COM