The Fleet Auction Group has signed an agreement to sell its 22-acre Coalville facility to Motability Operations. 

The Fleet Auction Group site will be redeveloped by Motability into a state-of-the-art vehicle conditioning centre that will double the existing capacity for vehicle refurbishment

The site on the Stephenson Industrial Estate will be redeveloped into a state-of-the-art vehicle conditioning centre that will double the existing capacity for vehicle refurbishment. The facility will be operated by IT Fleet, one of the company’s existing vehicle refurbishment partners, with up to 25,000 vehicles refurbished on site each year for sale through the remarketing arm of the business, mfldirect.

The investment marks the continuation of a five-year vision for Motability Operations and mfldirect.

Damian Oton, managing director of fleet at Motability Operations, said: “Condition management is an essential part of the remarketing supply chain, and we recognise the importance of this to our customers. Investing in our own refurbishment capabilities allows us to enhance the overall value of our offering for our customers through our personal commitment to quality of service much earlier in the process. And by ensuring confidence in supply, we can give our customers greater accessibility to the cars they need to keep pace in a busy and challenging marketplace.”

Martin Betts, chairman of The Fleet Auction group, added: “Having worked with Motability Operations over the past 20 years, we are extremely proud to be sharing this announcement today. Motability Operations’ proposed state-of-the-art vehicle conditioning centre will leave a lasting legacy and be a positive contribution to the regeneration of the local area.”

The Fleet Auction Group will continue to operate from the Coalville site, whilst awaiting the completion of a new multi-million-pound centre, currently under construction in Leicestershire and due for completion in October 2022.

Once completed, the new facility will enable the group to offer additional de-fleet services for new and existing customers, and increased sales volumes for its buyers.