STAMFORD, Conn. -

Used-car prices in February have begun responding positively to the usual tax season surge, but prices were still dropping in the lanes during the first month of the year.

According to the RVI Used Vehicle Price Index, used prices dropped by 5.4 percent last month when compared to December.

Used prices were up just a slight 0.1 percent year-over-year last month.

According to the latest RVI Market Update, all the vehicle segments the company tracks saw prices drop in January.

And as gas prices fell for the seventh month in a row in January, down to an average of $2.21 per gallon, truck prices have been experiencing some positive impacts.

For example, the small pickup segment, which saw a 0.5-percent drop from December, and small SUVs, falling by 1.1 percent, both saw the slightest price drops last month.

On the other hand, the full-size sedans and luxury small sedans saw the greatest drops in residuals last month.

The full-size sedans saw prices drop by 9.6 percent from December and are also down 5.7 percent year-over-year; full-size van prices were also down by 9.6 percent from December.

The luxury small sedan category also experienced price drops, with an 8 percent decline from December, and a 6.5 percent drop year-over-year.

Moving closer toward spring, tax season is now making its mark as used-price movement has been more positive as of late.

For example, Black Book personnel said overall sales percentages were very good last week, and show a market that is holding steady.

Last week, of all price changes made at auction, just over 39 percent of those were price increases, according to Black Book data.