With overall used car values continuing to improve, the BCA Price Index made a significant leap to the highest point on record at the end of quarter two, 2009.

The quarterly index, based on an average value of £4,780 recorded in Q1, 2005 (= 100), reached 121 points last quarter, having been as low as 101 points just two quarters ago.

BCA say the bounce in 2009 has been stimulated initially by very low prices driving demand, but has been sustained by a relative dearth of stock allied to adequate demand that has kept values high.