McLEAN, Va. -

After reviewing its final data set of 2019, J.D. Power Valuation Services found that its Used Vehicle Price Index rose in December, ending a run of four consecutive months of declines.

According to the latest installment of Guidelines, J.D. Power Valuation Services reported that its December index reading increased by 1.2% on a month-over-month basis to come in at 120.6.

Analysts added the December reading also landed nearly flat when compared to December 2018.

J.D. Power Valuation Services calculated that overall wholesale used-vehicle prices ended the year up 1% relative to 2018.

“Used price strength in 2019 can be attributed to a few factors including higher new-vehicle prices, high levels of clean late-model off-lease units entering the market and increased dealer demand for used vehicles,” analysts said in Guidelines.

J.D. Power Valuation Services determined that wholesale prices on the mainstream side of the market reached as much as 2.4% in December, with midsize pickups sustaining that drop. Midsize vans were not far off that pace, sliding by 2.3%.

The only mainstream vehicle segment to eke out an increase in December was midsize cars, which edged up 0.4%

Meanwhile on the premium side, J.D. Power Valuation Services reported that segment losses reached as high as 4.6% in December, with large premium cars leading the pack (down 4.6%) and midsize premium cars dipping by 2.7%.

None of the six premium vehicle segments that analysts watch for Guidelines managed to rise in December.

Finally, J.D. Power Valuation Services wrapped up its latest report by noting wholesale volume finished 2019 with a 3.9% lift compared to 2018.