Manheim has restarted its auction programme, initially with online sales and with an extended programme to follow in time.

Manheim is restarting its sales programme with ‘buy now’ events and virtual auctions via Simulcast

Virtual sales started as of 10am today (12 May) as the result of weeks of planning and implementation of safety measures across the business.

The online sales cover a range of vehicles and models from several trade vendors, using both ‘buy now’ events and ‘virtual auctions’ via Simulcast. However, Manheim is not charging buyers its usual additional Simulcast or Manheim Online fees until further notice.

Buyers must sign up as Manheim account holders and collection is by appointment only, backed by a strict handover process. The same measures are also being used to ensure vehicles purchased prior to lockdown can now be collected.

Chris Cush, director of auctions & transport at Manheim UK, said: “We’ve carefully planned the operational activity required to support each sale safely, both in terms of how our teams work and how customers receive the vehicles that they buy. We have established a strict operating process that ensures social distancing is maintained, and collections managed to ensure the safety of all involved.”

Cush added: “We will be ramping up our sales timetable in the coming weeks but for now the focus is on ensuring we carefully manage activity to keep the wellbeing and safety of team members and customers absolutely front and centre of all we do.”

Latest figures suggest that while the UK’s used car market has been hard hit in terms of a decline in volume transactions, due to showroom closures, both RVs and used buyer interest remain high.

Despite the challenging market conditions, used car prices in March remained broadly stable, down only 0.2% year-on-year at £13,601. Data also suggests that, although lockdown measures are still in effect, consumers are continuing to search and browse used cars online with many still looking to buy when the time is right.

Although there has been no firm date on when new and used car dealers can reopen showrooms, the latest government document on easing lockdown restrictions indicates that this could happen from 1 June, along with other ‘non-essential’ retailers.