“A majority of respondents to this month’s survey have indicated that they expect auction volumes to stabilise in February following an increase in supply during January,” said Louise Wallis, Head of the National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA), commenting on the latest figures from NAMA’s market attitude survey.

58% of respondents believe that volumes will stay the same this month, with a quarter estimating an increase, and 17% predicting a fall. Conversion rates are predicted to continue their increase, with two thirds of members expecting another rise, a quarter believing they will stay the same, and only 8% think they will decrease. First time conversion rates are expected to improve by 65% of those who completed the survey.

Due to the expectation of stable volumes and increasing conversion rates, NAMA members are predicting petrol vehicle values will climb, with 67% of respondents suggesting this and none predicting a decrease. Other fuel types are again mostly predicted to stay the same, with two thirds seeing diesel being stable, 45% battery electric vehicles (BEV), and 55% hybrids. No respondents suggested diesel values would fall, only 18% thought BEV value would decline, and just 9% for hybrids.

In terms of vans, every respondent is expecting Euro 6 values to increase or remain steady, with three-quarters thinking they will increase. Pre-Euro 6 van value has seen some scepticism, with 8% thinking that they will decrease. Nevertheless, 92% of respondents think they will stay the same or increase, with demand remaining strong for the older vehicles.

Wallis added, “The auction market has started 2020 strongly with demand for auction stock being high. Dealers since the beginning of the year have been resupplying their forecourts having reduced stock levels during the last months of 2019.

“With volume levels starting to plateau, and potentially fall, values and conversion rates are likely to remain high. The February market is expected to be strong and this is likely to continue into the plate change month of March.”

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

Alex Dalton, RMI Press Assistant
Tel: 020 7307 3412
Mob: 07824 756034
Press Office direct line: 020 7307 3422
Press Office fax: 020 7307 3406

Web: www.rmif.co.uk Email: alex.dalton@rmif.co.uk

The Retail Motor Industry represents the interests of operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. The RMI has a formal association with the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association which represents the retail motor industry in Scotland.