The auction giant says it sold nearly 14,000 cars, vans and trucks during the week, generating a turnover approaching £70 million. 

Online sales continued to flourish with hundreds of professional buyers logging onto the Bid Now, Buy Now and Live Online services every day and nearly 3,000 vehicles being purchased by online bidders during that week alone.

BCA's communications director Tony Gannon commented: 'There is a lot of pent-up demand in the marketplace, much of it due to the difficult pre-Christmas conditions affecting wholesale vehicle movements and reduced retail opportunities. That pressure is now being released and our remarketing centres and online channels are buzzing with professional buyers looking to replenish their stocks.'