FLEETS can expect a 'buoyant' used car market this month with the stock they offer sold quickly, Manheim Auctions claims.

The company said a slow-down experienced at the end of November was a blip caused by a shortage of fresh stock, expectations of price movements and a general lack of enthusiasm from buyers.

However, senior group auctioneer Andrew Shepherd said: 'The market for this time of year is still upbeat and prices for genuinely clean cars are achieving CAP clean and better and in realistic terms, buyers are ignoring guide prices and are prepared to pay whatever the market dictates.'

On the short-term future, Shepherd added: 'Going into 2003 it looks as though there may be a strong demand with short supply and this will help fuel the market which is predominantly strong in the first quarter of the year.'