ATLANTA -

Improvements in dealer perceptions of used-car inventory and inventory mix were among the bright spots in the latest Cox Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index released Monday.

While overall sentiment was down, dealers of all stripes were feeling better about the used cars on their lots. The used-vehicle inventory index was at 41 (out of 100) in the fourth quarter, up from 21 in Q3, according to Cox Automotive.

For independents, the index came in at 39, up from 19 in Q3. For franchise dealers, it improved from 28 to 48.

So, while sentiment on used-car inventory is not as high as it usually is, it does appear to be headed in the right direction, moving upward after two straight quarters of declines.

“The 20-point improvement in the used-vehicle inventory index — moving from 21 to 41 — was the largest positive increase in the Q4 study,” Cox Automotive said in a news release.

Dealer sentiment toward used-car inventory mix also improved.

For franchise dealers, the index climbed from 47 to 58. For independents, it moved from 41 to 50.

On an overall basis, it moved from 42 to 52.

These gains indicate “an improving inventory mix,” Cox said.

“The reading of 52 means most dealers consider used inventory mix to be good,” the company said.

In terms of used-car sales, it was a bit tougher sledding compared to Q3, but sentiment largely remained solid.

When asked to describe the current used-vehicle sales environment, sentiment among franchise dealers dipped from 77 in the third quarter to a still-strong 68.

For independents, it remained at 47.

Overall, the index dipped from 55 to 52.