ANDY PICTON'S AUCTION BLOG: Hot weather and football begin to blunt demand

Date: Tuesday, September 11, 2018

After another positive month of trading during June, buyer demand in July started to lose its edge due to many people taking advantage of the hot weather and England’s prolonged run in the World Cup.

During June, the best stock across all sectors was readily swallowed up, with nearly 11,000 units sold at auction – a 1% increase on May and a 15% jump in volume on the same point 12 months ago.

Records for June saw the average sales price fall for the first time this year, down 1.7%, while the average age of sold stock increased by 1.1 months to 63.1 months. The average mileage of these vehicles rose by 1,500 miles as first-time conversion rates fell to 80%.

All buyers are looking for clean and straight vehicles that can be placed immediately on their forecourt. Any requiring more than a minimum of preparation find that prices and interest falls away. Nevertheless, there is a home for everything, and buyers continue to bid confidently across all sectors, with the best stock, typically with plenty of specification, exchanging hands for the strongest prices.

The Renault Kangoo, Vauxhall Combo, Citroen Berlingo and Ford Transit Connect have been regulars at auction over the month, with the nicest examples selling without difficulty.

Those offered with sensible miles and in a metallic colour or with extras such as aircon have sold without issue. Crew vans in this sector have also been performing strongly.

The Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic and Ford Transit Custom Limited remain commonplace on the open market, with only the very nicest examples attracting the strongest interest from the trade. Nevertheless, these vans will still find homes without much difficulty especially when offered as a crew van.

The evergreen VW Transporter continues to defy logic especially when offered with extras such as aircon, a DSG gearbox or tailgate. Equally popular as a van or with those hoping to convert, a Transporter finished off in metallic paint is a stand-out proposition.

The previous-generation Citroen Dispatch/Peugeot Expert/Toyota Proace is another popular van, with the nicest examples on late plates selling for strong money.

A lack of quality in the large van sector remains a major issue, and as a result demand has soared for the nicest stock. The previous-generation Ford Transit along with the Citroen Relay, Peugeot Boxer, Fiat Ducato and Renault Master have performed well, with Enterprise, Professional and Business+ models regularly selling strongly.

Ford chassis-based models such as the dropside, tipper and Luton, if supported with sensible miles, are snapped out quickly, with those from PSA and Renault gaining in popularity.

Sales of 4x4 pick-ups remained static during June with average sale prices down on May.

There remains too many in the marketplace, and with indifferent demand values have come under downward pressure for models such as the Ford Ranger Limited, the Mitsubishi Barbarian and the previous-generation Nissan Navara Tekna. That said, the Navara and the Barbarian sell if priced correctly.

The Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-max can be hit and miss dependent on specification, colour, mileage and condition, while the VW Amarok’s loyal following near guarantees a sale. The Fiat Fullback is available in growing numbers now, but is struggling to find its feet against established competition.

Andy Picton is chief commercial vehicle editor of Glass’s, the used vehicle valuation experts.

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