The National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) is launching its new LCV grading standard, kicking off first with a rollout by Manheim Auction Services.

NAMA’s new grading standard will see LCV units classified against six ratings

Debuting across Manheim’s sites from 1 July, the new grading standard will follow similar principles to the NAMA car standard, with LCV units being classified against six ratings: 1-5 and U (‘ungraded’).

Given the typical usage of LCVs, the NAMA grading levels for these vehicles are more tolerant compared to car gradings and will also take load areas into account.

NAMA’s car grading standard launched in 2013 and was recognised in April 2023 with the King’s Award for Enterprise – Innovation. Over 90% of the sector’s vehicles are now sold using the scheme, equating to over 10 million used cars sold.

Paul Hill, NAMA spokesperson, said: “With the proven success of the car grading scheme, it is now time to extend these benefits to the light commercial vehicle sector. The new LCV grading standard is tailored to address these vehicles’ unique usage and wear characteristics, ensuring that buyers and sellers can accurately assess condition and value. This will ultimately lead to more informed decision-making and a smoother transaction process in the LCV market.”

Manheim – which has worked hand in hand with NAMA to help develop the new scheme – said it would boost the confidence of buyers and sellers within the LCV sector.

Matthew Davock, director of commercial vehicles at Manheim parent firm Cox Automotive, commented: “This is an industry grading standard that articulates how differently vans are used compared to cars, and one which takes vehicle condition and overall vehicle usage characteristics into account. It will provide a new level of confidence among LCV buyers and sellers.

“Overall, the grading adds an extra layer of value. Vendors will have better visibility of return conditions and access to improved data, supporting more accurate reserve setting, improved reconditioning insight, and stronger first-time conversion rates. For our buyers, it will mean finding the vans that best match their stock profile with greater ease.”

Manheim Auction Services will apply the new standard to all LCV units passing through its locations from 1 July. More than 2,500 LCV units are expected to be up for sale that week at the firm’s daily LCV in-lane sale locations at Shepshed, Bristol, Haydock, Washington and Colchester. Additionally, a special offsite sale event is planned at Novuna Vehicle Solutions in Trowbridge, showcasing the new grading standard on all vehicles.

More than 450 industry vendors from the OEM, fleet, rental, leasing and finance sectors will support these sale events, while over 4,000 dealers are expected to attend, both in-lane and digitally.