USED prices are higher in the south-east than anywhere else in the country, with the north-east the worst performing.

According to research by Glass’s Guide and Auto Trader of secondhand retail values, the south-east recorded an average price of £10,400 in the last quarter of 2006.

Next was Scotland, with prices 4% lower at £10,000, with the north west, the Midlands and Wales just below that.

The north-east was consistently the lowest, recording an average price of £8,900. The figures have an impact on the values of ex-fleet cars in each area: a region where used retail prices were higher would generally see better prices achieved for fleet stock.