Manheim's latest monthly Market Analysis reports that, at ￡6,280, the average wholesale used car selling price was 3.5% (￡212) up in September compared with August. This rise, the first in eight months, compares with a 1.7% (￡103) fall in August. Following several months of significant contraction in year-on-year auction volumes, the September Market Analysis also shows the first increase in volumes for five months, by 4.0% compared with September 2007.

In the Fleet sector average month-on-month values rose by 4.1% (￡208) compared with a fall of 2.1% (￡106) in August, while in the Dealer sector average month-on-month values rose by 3.6% (￡62) compared with a fall of 3.7% (￡67) in the previous month. The Manufacturer sector saw a further month-on-month rise of 2.4% (￡256) compared with a fall of 2.2% (￡234) in August.

Examples of the increases in average wholesale used car selling prices in September include Small Hatchbacks in the Manufacturer sector which rose by 5.9% (￡404), Medium Family vehicles in the Dealer sector which rose by 2.4% (￡38) and Large Family vehicles in the Fleet sector which rose by 2.6% (￡106).

Commenting on the September report, Mike Pilkington, Managing Director, Manheim Auctions & Remarketing said: “Following the relative stability of August it is encouraging to see price rises in September. However, with the new car market 21% down and continued macro-economic uncertainty, it would be wrong to draw too many conclusions as to the future.”