So says online remarketing specialist Autorola UK, which adds that used prices are often making 10% more online than the used value guides in the right condition and with the right mileage, as wholesale buyers aim to meet the growing demand from retail motorists.

‘We are selling a few hundred cars each week online and by the far the most popular are those that cost between £5-7,000,’ explained Neil Frost, head of operations.

‘The demand is healthy and we believe this will continue over the next year or so until we see greater volumes of these size and price of cars coming back into the market,’ he added.

Generally the smaller cars such as the i10, Fiesta, Aygo, Fiesta and Corsa are preferred with petrol engines, while buyers prefer the larger Mondeo and Insignia with a diesel. Ford cars are generally preferred with five doors.

This trend compares with the nearly-new sector where sub 12-month old cars are struggling to sell for reserve prices as a new car with a good finance offer, free servicing and a discount is often working out just as cheap.

‘The nearly new sector is proving tough as there is an abundance of supply but the excellent new offers are so tempting that used cars are losing out unless they are very competitively priced or are quite rare,’ added Frost.