online shopping has become increasing popular over the last five years and it seems that dealing cars is following the same trend. Figures produced by auction house Manheim, show that the percentage of vehicles sold online each month rose from 7.5% in August 2004 to almost 17% in August 2013. September saw almost 18% of stock was sold at auction resulting in 5237 vehicles being sold and over 61000 online bids being cast and it seems that the technology age is now allowing customers to shop on the go with 12% of people visiting Manheim from mobile devices. Michael Buxton, chief operating officer of Manheim, said although online business is growing attendance at physical auctions is stable. “Online platforms have supplemented the physical auctions rather than replace them, which is a trend that looks set to continue as we move into 2014.” Taken from Motor trader News

on average part exchange vehicles have a 23% higher value than last year according to figures from BCA. It states that year-to-year prices of part exchange vehicles rose by £716 to £3857 the 16% rise from last year is the highest monthly average since 2005. Nearly new values improved by over £1,100 in November to reach £21,433, the highest value recorded this year for nearly-new stock. BCA UK operations director Simon Henstock, said: “Buyers were out in force in November acquiring stock and BCA recorded some exceptional results around the group.“Live Online buyers were very active during the month and our Bid Now and Buy Now channels saw sales volumes climb.“Professional buyers will no doubt remember that average values rose very sharply last December due to the shorter trading month and ongoing dearth of retail-quality stock, so there was an element of ‘getting ahead of the game’,”…

Used van values are set to rise in the coming months due to a shortage of good quality retail stock, according to auction house BCA. Data from BCA suggests that used van prices will continue to rise despite age or mileage. on average van prices are up 43% compared to five years ago, despite being nearly a year older and having covered 9,000 more miles. In September van values were 23% higher than a year ago, BCA’s general manager for commercial vehicles, Duncan Ward, said: “The key factor driving the market is the supply of good retail quality stock or rather the lack of it and this means there is plenty of competition for the best examples reaching the market.”Demand has been right across the board, from older higher mileage vans through to younger ex-fleet and lease vehicles, while the few late-plate light commercials…

BCA’s 2013 Used Car Market Report shows that used car sales hit 7.1 million units in 2012, outpacing new car sales by climbing 6.4% and returning to pre-recession levels. The report also reveals that the used car market reached a record value of £38.1 billion in 2012. outperforming the total new car market value by £5.8 billion. In particular sales of younger used cars (0-2 years) increased significantly, rising by 18.6% to 762,000 and reversing a three year trend of falling volumes in this age bracket. Authored by Professor Peter Cooke ,University of Buckingham Business School, Centre for Automotive Management, , the report says that lower inflation, lower fuel costs, rising employment and a more stable economy helped restore car buyers’ confidence somewhat in 2012. However, the long-term impact of the fall in new car sales during and immediately following the recession can still be seen,…

Auction giant BCA’s 2013 Used Car Market Report shows that used car sales hit 7.1 million units in 2012, outpacing new car sales by climbing 6.4% and returning to pre-recession levels. The report also reveals that the used car market reached a record high in terms of value in 2012, at £38.1 billion, outperforming the total new car market value by £5.8 billion. In particular sales of younger used cars (0-2 years) increased significantly, rising by 18.6% to 762,000 and reversing a three year trend of falling volumes in this age sector. Authored by Professor Peter Cooke of the Centre for Automotive Management, University of Buckingham Business School, the report says that lower inflation, lower fuel costs, rising employment and a more stable economy helped restore car buyers’ confidence somewhat in 2012. However, the long-term impact of the fall in new car sales during…

The final print edition of Auto Trader will be published in June, nearly four decades after the motoring weekly first hit the streets of London. Its owner, Trader Media Group, confirmed on Tuesday that the flagship title will exist online only following a souvenir edition next month featuring classic cars from the past 36 years. Another four titles owned by Trader Media Group – Top Marques, Truck and Plant, Van Trader and Farm Trader – will also close their print editions as part of the move to digital. Once considered as the go to guide for second hand car buyers or sellers, sales of Auto Trader have plummeted from a peak of 368,000 in January 2000 to 27,000 last month. Classified advertising has followed readers online, with visits to the Auto Trader website soaring to more than 11 million readers a month. The final print…

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Used cars and aftersales performance are the key to trading profitably over the coming year, according to Mike Jones, executive chairman of ASE, the specialist dealer business management company. “Conditions may be tough and competition fierce but opportunities to trade profitably remain…2012 is undoubtedly looking like a tough year for motor retailers. For the majority of brands dealers are faced with a declining vehicle parc and lower vehicle sales expectations,…“This means dealers will have to improve their retention of used car customers and keep new car customers longer in order to improve service department performance,” he said in the January issue of Motor Trader In Jones’ opinion the improvements need to be made in customer service in order to remain competitive “Used vehicle sales will be a major area of focus in 2012 as dealers look to older cars to plug the profitability gap…