What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

The disruption caused by the pandemic to the UK vehicle auction industry was unparalleled, with all auction sites being forced to suspend indefinitely public sales, relying instead on digital technology to continue to bring vendors and buyers together. Manheim, a Cox Automotive brand, claiming to be the leading end-to-end remarketing services provider for commercial vehicles in the UK is returning to a hybrid method of operation, and now welcomes over 5,300 buyers to its sites across the country every month. 

Although Manheim suggests that the pandemic has seen an acceleration in the digital remarketing environment equating to a ten-year jump, the company continues to receive feedback from buyers and vendors alike weighted towards a preference for physical events. Face-to-face interaction, which had been absent for two years has, according to customers, supported their wellbeing, mental health and buying confidence throughout 2022.

The return to physical auctions combined with a strong online platform has seen the company achieve an increase of 4.1% in returns to vendors, relating to an average of £336 per unit. This is despite the increasing effect of an ageing vehicle parc due to the weak supply of new vehicles, which has meant that fleets have had to retain vehicles in service for longer than was initially anticipated. Over the past two years, the average age of vehicles presented for sale has been higher by seven months, with a corresponding mileage increase of 13,600.

Manheim continues to look for ways of operating in a more environmentally-friendly way. Vendors are also looking to partner with an auction company that helps to drive down C02 emissions and to support their own green initiatives. Manheim’s hybrid method of selling vehicles allows them to be sold from multiple locations at once, and as a result, 67% of Manheim’s vendors have seen a reduction of between 93 and 133 transported miles per unit compared to their competitors. This has, in one instance according to the vendor, saved the company £233,000 in transport movements alone. 

The latest sale statistics from Manheim show an average sale price of £10,330 in September 2022, and a first time selling rate of 77% throughout 2022. This year has seen average selling prices rise by 63% from pre-pandemic levels, despite the older and higher mileage profile of vehicles being presented for sale.

The company offers an end-to-end solution for its vendors, including storage. defleet and refurbishment centres at Bruntingthorpe and RAF Wyton, which, in also offering in-life services assist in improving efficiencies to vendors remarketing operations.