Manheim delivers record-breaking Q3 performance against backdrop of market challenges
Q3 was a standout quarter for our commercial vehicle division, reporting our strongest performance of 2025. Volumes of vans sold were up 23.2% on the previous quarter. We delivered this positive performance despite challenges in the market, as operators increasingly run vans for longer and rising costs continue to squeeze margins.
Across Manheim sites, vans sold faster than ever, averaging just 11.2 days to sell, while first-time conversion rates climbed to 85.2%, a 6.2% increase compared to Q2. Average selling prices also rose by 5.1% to £8,590. July marked a historic milestone for the business, achieving the highest monthly sales ever recorded.
Used electric vans saw significant growth, with sold volumes up 51.7% compared to Q2. These vehicles were younger, averaging 27.2 months, and sold for 15.6% more on average than in the previous quarter. Conversion rates for BEVs reached 75.8%, reflecting increasing buyer confidence in electric vehicles.
Our vendor portfolio also expanded, with 477 active vendors in Q3, a 17.4% increase year-on-year.
Commenting on the drivers behind this success, our Director of Commercial Vehicles said: “This quarter, we saw a clear shift in buying strategies. Buyers arrived at the lanes more informed than ever, tracking retail values and mileage much more closely and bidding with precision. Combine this with better-prepared vehicles and smarter release strategies from our growing pool of vendors, and Q3 went above and beyond our expectations. This success was further bolstered by the success of our Gloucester operations, which processed more than 8,000 commercial vehicles through its two dedicated auction lanes alone”
This exceptional performance comes despite a shifting economic landscape and evolving fleet strategies. We are seeing fleet and rental operators extending vehicle lifecycles due to ongoing cost pressures. Vans once cycled out between 36-48 months are increasingly being held for 60 months or more. This trend resulted in an increase in older, higher-mileage stock arriving across auction sites.
Addressing this trend and the need for market adaptation, Davock continues: “The decision to run vans for longer is a pragmatic one, given current market conditions and uncertainty regarding the outcome of the Autumn budget. Fleet operators need to be aware of the impact this will have on stock performance. Lower mileage vehicles, for instance, are commanding stronger prices, an important factor to take into account within fleet disposal strategies, as releasing lower mileage stock at the right time can maximise overall finance results.”
