So says CAP Automotive, which says that reduced values and increased supply are being seen in the marketplace, particularly with regard to cars over four and a years old, but there are no steep slides thanks to on-going retail demand.

Derren Martin, senior editor of Black Book Live – which monitors market price movements daily – was also quick to reassure the market that the temporary increase in volume shows no sign of becoming a serious problem of oversupply that could depress values significantly.

He said: ‘There are over two million fewer used cars in the marketplace than before the recession, so there is no imminent threat of a return to the days of severe oversupply.

‘We are also seeing early signs of dealers across all segments building stock levels for January, as they tend to turn a blind eye to used vehicle stock turn at this time of year. Demand is traditionally high amongst consumers post-Christmas and some switched-on sellers will be starting their January sale from Boxing Day. The days of clearing the decks for the year-end accounts are certainly over for many.

‘With a soft landing predicted for quarter 4, this also makes any dramatic increases in values less likely as we enter the New Year. In short, the market remains fairly robust and we foresee no unpleasant shocks in the short to medium term.’