BCA car and van auction values hit record highs in September as the company reported another strong trading month.
Average used car values rose by £33 (0.3%) across the board, the headline average value of a used car rising to £9,117, the highest average monthly figure on record at BCA. Volumes also climbed during the month, with inventory levels reaching record levels by late September and early October.
Year-on-year, the headline figure was up by £741 – almost exactly the same value differential as seen last month. This is equivalent to an 8.1% increase in average values – a result reflecting both the steady demand, well-balanced supply and the richer mix of stock available at BCA over the past 12 months.
The average age and mileage profile of vehicles sold at BCA continues to fall and this is also impacting positively on average price performance. Record average monthly values were achieved for fleet & lease and dealer part-exchange cars, while nearly-new values reached their highest point this year.
| Fleet/ Lease | Avg Age (months) | Avg Mileage | Avg Value | Sales vs MRP |
| Sep 2016 | 39.18 | 42,172 | £10,017 | 42.65% |
| Sep 2017 | 38.99 | 41,525 | £10,778 | 43.32% |
Stuart Pearson, BCA MD UK remarketing, commented: “September brought a lot of footfall into our 24 auction centres around the UK and increasing volumes of online buying activity via BCA Live Online.
“Volume built steadily during the month and buyer demand often outstripped supply as conversion rates rose to 90%-plus. Demand was across the board, but notably interest was exceptionally high for vehicles in ready-to-retail condition.
“The higher value luxury, prestige and sportscar end of the market has also performed very well, with sales at BCA Nottingham and Blackbushe attracting big crowds and selling some notable vehicles.”
He added: “We expect this buoyant used car market to continue into October as the major volume buyers continue to be very active. BCA continues to win and retain business and we are delighted that Steven Eagell Group and Swansway Group have announced remarketing deals with BCA in recent weeks.”
LCV demand ‘strong across board’
Average light commercial vehicle values climbed to a record level in September, with both corporate and dealer sellers seeing values rise. The month was typified by strong attendances and confident bidding across BCA’s network of LCV centres, both in-lane and online.
The headline value improved by £231 (5.1%) to £6,651, with average values also improving to record levels for fleet & lease and dealer P/X values – the latter climbing sharply for the second month running. Sold volumes of LCVs continued to rise across the board at BCA.
Year-on-year values remain well ahead, up by £511, equivalent to an 8.3% increase over the period. Average age and mileage continued to decline, reflecting the growing share of corporate stock sold as well as the higher volumes of younger rental stock seen over recent months.
Year-on-year table: All vans
| All vans | Avg Age (mnths) | Avg Mileage | Avg Value |
| Sept 2016 | 54.15 | 71,509 | £6,140 |
| Sept 2017 | 51.92 | 64,901 | £6,651 |
BCA’s LCV operations director Duncan Ward said: “BCA offered increased volumes of stock during September and attracted a lot of new buyers as a result.
“Demand was strong across the board, with corporate vendors enjoying excellent conversion rates and average values rising to a new record high. Dealer PX values climbed sharply for the second month running, also reaching record levels during the month.”
He added “The LCV market has seen continued value and volume growth throughout much of 2017.
There has been steady demand for vehicles to service online shopping delivery, the construction and civil engineering industries and the small business and entrepreneurial start-up sector.
“BCA continues to experience plenty of demand for tippers and dropsides, Lutons and larger panel vans, the latter often going back to work to service the online shopping sector.”
