MANY auctions are reporting a 70% conversion rate. This, in the main, is due to the fact that disposal managers are asking for, and indeed accepting, realistic bids from the trade for vehicles that are high mileage and untidy.

If they didn't, this percentage could be much lower because, although CAP clean desirable cars are making all the money, the less desirable ones are still struggling. The market has been described as a rollercoaster and all those on board have seen many ups and downs over recent months. The retail market has been patchy and buyers are being selective. This has had a knock-on effect at auctions.

Auctioneers are warning disposers to be cautious and realistic in setting reserves, but it is generally down to common sense and knowing what will and won't sell at any particular time and location. Vendors are now letting their cars go and, as buyers realise that cars are there to be sold, the prices being achieved are reasonable. The diesel engine has improved over the past couple of years, in most cases beyond recognition. Manufacturers are predicting a massive upturn in diesel sales as people move away from petrol-engined cars, mainly because of company car tax and the growing acceptability of diesel.

There is, however, concern in some quarters of the industry that the number of used diesel cars entering the market in years to come may exceed demand from used car buyers. The used car buyer is a different animal to the new car buyer, each choosing a car for different reasons. A diesel may make sense to the new car buyer but the same logic need not necessarily apply in the used market.

While many people have always stuck with a petrol car because they understand them - the sort of people who like to get under the bonnet on a Sunday morning. They may need educating about the advantages of a pre-owned diesel car, a process that could take many years.

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