FLEET vendors are being urged not to hold on to their cars in a bid to get a better price at auction. According to Manheim Auctions, most makes and models are below and up to CAP average, with only unusual models and specs making CAP clean and above.

Vendors who have seen cars sell easily are now getting £500 to £750 less for the same models. Andrew Shepherd, Manheim senior group auctioneer, said: 'Holding on to cars for another two to three weeks in the hope that prices will get better is unrealistic. Good trade buyers have turned into Dick Turpin overnight - unless they can pinch them, they don't want them. '

British Car Auctions has been warning fleets for some weeks they should not expect top notch prices. Tom Madden, BCA customer affairs director, said buyers were holding off until after Easter to see what the market was like, but business had now picked up. Manheim's sales over Easter were low with buyers reluctant to buy stock in volume. Shepherd envisaged the market will pick-up in mid-May but not to the levels seen earlier this year.