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

Efficient remarketing remains a cornerstone of the financial viability of fleets, be they leasing companies or household names that take vehicles on their own risk. Manheim Auction Services is the leading remarketing services provider for commercial vehicles with the largest choice of stock, provided by an extensive network of vendors, feeding an active and thriving buyer base numbering 4,500. 

The pandemic saw all auction activity restricted to online, and when conditions permitted a return to ‘business as usual’, some auction companies made the decision to keep the auction halls closed. As a result of strong customer feedback, in 2022 Manheim reopened some of their premises and returned to a hybrid sales programme. Buyers, while becoming more familiar with purchasing ‘unseen’ and trusting the condition reports available online, often preferred to touch the van and network with fellow dealers. This year saw new sales in the north of England and Scotland being introduced by Manheim, expanding on its existing programme and adding a further 850 vans to the wholesale market. Manheim now claims that trade buyers are now on average just 58 miles from a physical sale. 

Manheim achieved a record performance for its customers in 2023. There was a 36% year-on-year increase in the number of vehicles sold, with 75.5% of LCV’s selling at the first attempt. The average selling price is currently £9,364, £2,795 higher than the 2019 equivalent and 42% ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

Partnership is key to Manheim’s activities and this is demonstrated by the relationship the company has with Novuna Vehicle Solutions (formerly Hitachi Capital). Every year Manheim conducts a ‘mega event’ at Novuna’s Wiltshire headquarters, an auction that in 2023 was attended by over 350 buyers. Not only were all entered vehicles sold, but also £8,600 was raised for the homeless charity Shelter. 

With such a large amount of activity, the van industry is keen to hear from Manheim about the latest sale results, trends and opinion. This appetite is fed through a number of channels including social media. Sessions are also held with vehicle valuation guide providers, the SMMT, Auto Trader and Transport for London. 

Manheim is anticipating the level of electric van entries to rise dramatically, particularly after securing a contract with Holman that will see more than 4,000 EVs starting to arrive for disposal from the end of 2023. To cater for this, EV charging facilities have been installed at eight of the sales centres as a result.