The average selling price for part-exchanged cars sold by Manheim in October increased by 5.2% (£177) year-on-year, despite overall car volumes having risen by 33% compared to 12 months ago.

Values dipped by 1.8% from September, but still recorded the second highest monthly figure in 2015.

Superminis and MPVs defied the overall trend, with average used supermini selling prices rising by 3.6% month-on-month and 9.7% year-on-year and average MPV values outperforming September by just nearly 1% and the same month last year by 18.3%.

Compact executive car and 4x4 values were also higher than in October 2014, by 9.7% and 12.2%, respectively, the latter reflecting the earlier-than-expected rise in four-wheel drive values, as dealers stock up for well-prepared retail buyers.

The average part-exchanged supermini sold by Manheim was 92 months old – six months younger than in the same month last year. Conversely, coupe owners seem to be keeping them for longer, with the average age of stock sold by Manheim being 106 months in October, five months older than in 2014.

Daren Wiseman, valuation services manager at Manheim, said: “The slight dip in average selling prices in October was entirely expected, and the year-on-year figures were particularly impressive given the significant growth in our auction volumes compared to 2014.

“In terms of their residual value, 4x4s maintained their September performance, retaining 27% of their original value – the highest of any vehicle segment – continuing the trend of dealers snapping up available stock in the run up to the winter months.”

Fleet values

De-fleeted car values increased by 4.6% (£326) year-on-year, but softened by 2% (£151) compared to September.

Compared to October last year, ex-fleet cars sold by Manheim retained 2% more of their original value (36%). All vehicle segments saw their average selling prices up from 12 months ago, with the strongest performers being MPVs, values of which were up 26.8% (£1,796); and superminis, which saw values up by 20.4% (£869).

The ex-fleet market in October also saw 4x4s continue their earlier-than-expected rise in the run up to the winter months, with average selling prices 10.7% (£1,396) higher than the same month last year.

Average selling prices for some segments did rise in October, highlighting increased demand. De-fleeted executive car values rose by 8.1% (£1,015), while mini MPV and MPV prices both increased by 9.6% (£443 and £742, respectively) compared to September.

With the rising popularity of SUVs, volumes for the large family car segment continue to decline, falling 4% year-on-year and 2% from last month. The volume of ex-fleet 4x4s sold by Manheim in October was up by 2% from the same month in 2014.

Wiseman said: “As predicated last month, with significant growth in de-fleeted volumes following the record month of new car registrations in September, we unsurprisingly saw values soften in October.”

“The performance above last year was evident in residual values, with ex-fleet vehicles retaining an average of 36% of their original value, compared to a figure of 34% the same time last year.”