Manheim saw the lowest mileage ex-fleet cars for at least 12 months selling at its auctions in December, with vehicles sold having an average of 55,494 miles on the clock.

The car auction business noted that its ex-fleet cars had, on average, 6,000 fewer miles than de-fleeted cars sold in the same month last year.

Selling prices had softened from November – down 3.8% (£268) to £6,864 – but were up 2.6% (£171) on the same month last year, despite an increase of 9% in used car volume.

Part-exchanged cars sold for an average of 3.9% (£131) more than the same month in 2014, meanwhile, recording an average selling price of £3,514.

Commenting on its December performance, which marked the six consecutive month of year-on-year growth in car volumes at Manheim’s auctions, valuation services manager Daren Wiseman said: “The average ex-fleet car sold at Manheim is now just under four years old, with around 55,000 miles on the clock, suggesting that replacement cycles are becoming shorter as vehicle users change cars more often, both in the private and company car markets.

“This must be good news for used car buyers, who are now able to get behind the wheel of great quality, lower mileage and younger cars, which have been typically well cared for by fleet and leasing companies.”

Year-on-year, Manheim saw selling prices rise in seven out of 10 vehicle segments, with the best performers being MPVs, up 22.8% (£1,485) compared to December 2014.

Mini MPVs were up 20.6% (£877), meanwhile, and superminis, up 16.4% (£647).

Mini MPVs also showed strong month-on-month performance, with average values rising by 11.8% (£508) from November.

Wiseman added: “As car auction volumes remain high, we expected to see some softening in the market as buyers have plenty of choice and can afford to be particular about which vehicles they purchase. However, we expect to see a much stronger wholesale market in January, with prices rising as buyer activity increases.”