The figures for last month show ex-fleet vehicles had an average of 55,494 miles on the clock – almost 6,000 fewer miles than de-fleeted cars sold in the same month last year.

Manheim’s data also shows that average selling prices were down 3.8% (£268) to £6,864 compared to November but were up 2.6% (£171) compared to the same month last year, despite an increase of 9% in overall used car volume. December marked the six consecutive month of year-on-year growth in car volumes at Manheim’s auctions.

Year-on-year, selling prices rose in seven out of 10 vehicle segments, with the best performers being MPVs, up 22.8% (£1,485) compared to December 2014; mini MPVs, up 20.6% (£877) 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.

Daren Wiseman, valuation services manager at Manheim, said: “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.”

“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.”