FALLING used car values cost motor dealership JCT 600 nearly £1 million last year , despite brisk business on the forecourts.

Turnover increased to £240 million for the year to December 31, 1999 (1998: £231 million), but pre-tax profits fell to £5 million from £6.3 million in 1998. The group's contract hire operation recorded net profits of £503,000 on turnover of £8 million.