The pressure continues to build on older models, but as the summer used market doldrums continue the supermini sector is being hit hard, too. Over the first six months of 2004 there has been a decline in value of 13% in a sample of six benchmark cars.

For example, the Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte 3dr has reduced by 21.4%, reflecting public enthusiasm for a car that has been superceded by the acclaimed C2.

The Ford Fiesta 1.3 Flight 3dr, however, outperformed the sample, with a downward movement of 9.2%, and enjoyed the lowest reduction from May to June – just 4.1%. The new model Fiesta is typically down by £50, better than its predecessor whose values have fallen by about £150 for the last available plates.

Vauxhall Corsa offers a similar story in that pre-2000 models are reduced by around £275 on an 00X. Volkswagen Polo has seen similar movements across all years, with a typical three-year-old car moving down by £75. Renault Clio petrol and Fiat Punto (with both fuels) drop by about £200.

On the market as a whole, selections from our daily report extracts show:

Alfa Romeo – 156: Values remain strong. GTV: Holding well as demand matches supply.
Spider: Sought after.
Audi – A2: Easing back, especially on 1.4 SE and Sport. A3: Drifting, but 1.8T Sport finding buyers.
A4 00: High mileage values down. A6: Base is tough.
BMW – 3 (98): Franchised dealers show interest in 316i SE and 316i 16V SE.
Citroen – Saxo: Under pressure, but 1.4i Desire outperforms the rest. Picasso: no shortage, but values not suffering.
Daewoo – Matiz: Holding its own. Nubira: estate variants most sought after.
Daihatsu – Fourtrak: Dealers paying good money for the last models.
Fiat – Punto: Late model Active readily available, causing values to ease.
Ford – Ka: 1.3 Collection desirable. Focus 01: lack of 03 and 53-plate stock.
Honda – Civic: Everyone wants Type-R.
Hyundai – Coupe: Holding value well.
Jaguar – X-type: SE spec preferred.
Jeep – Cherokee: Little demand for 2.4.
Mazda – 323 01: Holding well.
Mercedes-Benz – A: Plenty of late A140 Classics. C 00: Demand for early cars.
Mitsubishi – Shogun 00: Animal and Warrior attract attention.
Peugeot – 206: Special Edition silver and black sought after.
Renault – Clio: petrol down, diesel firm.
Rover – 75: Connoisseur diesel best bet.
Seat – Ibiza 99: 03 1.2s finding buyers.
Skoda – Superb: few around, but erratic.
Toyota – Yaris: Dealers like Colour Collection. Celica 99: Model id is confusing.
Vauxhall – Vectra 02: Lack of stock.
Volkswagen – Beetle: Down a touch, but 2.0 and 1.8T finding buyers.
Volvo – C70: Upturn for convertibles.