New cars registered between the months of March and August (inclusive) will typically retain £300 more than those registered at any other time of year during an average three-year period of ownership.

EurotaxGlass’s analysed over 100,000 trade values, measuring the price difference between identical three-year-old models registered from March to August (bearing the 02, 03, 04, etc, plate identifier) and September to February (bearing the 52, 53, 54, etc, plate identifier).

It found that the three-year-old car registered during the period March to August would, on average, fetch £300 more.

“In the typical year, sales during the period September to February usually account for around 45% of total annual registrations, so these weaker residual values are affecting a very significant number of used cars,” said Adrian Rushmore, managing editor at EurotaxGlass’s.