Aston Barclay has initiated changes to how it conducts physical auctions, while maintaining that it is too soon to restart physical auctions despite government say so.

Neil Hodson, Aston Barclay group CEO

Aston Barclay has set out new working practices from today (Monday, 15 June) to aid buyers in selecting used vehicles in a safe way.

It will start by allowing a limited number of buyers on site prior to an auction to view vehicles. Each person will have to sign an online form and confirm the sale they are interested in viewing. All buyers must report to auction reception and will only be allowed to enter once they have been through the check-in process.

Buyers will not be able to turn up and view stock without an appointment and for the time being the auction programme will continue in its online format, with no physical buyers present.

The current official government guidance states that vehicle auctions can open today, but Aston Barclay believes it is too early to host physical sales.

“Monday will be the first time we have welcomed any customers onto our sites for 11 weeks. In our minds, 15 June is too soon to welcome buyers to a physical auction with social distancing measures still in force.” explained Neil Hodson, Aston Barclay’s group CEO.

“However, we recognise that our loyal buyers may want to see vehicles prior to bidding in online sales. Our imagery, inspections and grading clearly show the condition of the vehicles online, but there are reassurances buyers take from physical viewing. We will be monitoring the success of our two-week trial before we decide on hosting physical sales in the future. In the meantime, we will continue with a 100% online auction policy,” he added.

Aston Barclay continues to increase the number of sales it hosts for vendors with 28 online sales planned for the two-week trial period between the 15-29 June.