Dealers sold a greater number of part-exchange vehicles following on from the new registration plate on 1 March.Year-on-year, however, the headline figure was up by £314, equivalent to a 4.1% rise.

Simon Henstock, BCA chief operating officer UK remarketing, commented: “BCA reports a strong used car marketplace in March, with buyers being exceptionally active both in the auction hall and online.Reflecting seasonal patterns, we saw greater volumes from dealer part-exchange sources and this shift in the market mix impacted the headline value.

“The plate change period inevitably sees volumes rise substantially in the wholesale markets and stock levels traditionally remain high until at least early May. Any uplift in volume has the potential to change the balance in supply and demand and can impact on values as buyers simply have more choice.

“As volumes increase, we are advising sellers to pay attention to the basics of remarketing.  Presentation and preparation are a given, and it is vital to properly identify and declare the specification, particularly if there are a lot of base-spec models about. Providing the service history at the point of sale is also important and can have a real, tangible effect on the potential prices vehicles might achieve,” he added.

Year-on-year table: All cars

Fleet & lease car values averaged £9,741 at BCA in March, an increase of £79 (0.8%) compared to February’s figure of £9,662. Retained value against original MRP (Manufacturers Retail Price) improved to 42.2%, with age and mileage broadly static. Compared to March 2015, average fleet & lease values were up by £71, with retained value marginally down.  

Year-on-year table: Fleet & lease

Having fallen in February, BCA found that average values for dealer part-exchange cars improved by £127 (2.9%) to £4,382 in March, the highest monthly value since the record value set last October. Year-on-year values remain ahead by £198 (4.7%).   

Year-on-year table: Part-Exchange