FLEET operators are getting the message about selling vehicles complete with V5s although there is still some way to go, British Car Auctions is reporting.

On average, 83.7% of vehicles entered from all sources into BCA auctions were complete with the V5 during the fourth week of 2003.

Fleet operators who own and operate their own vehicles moved from just under 70% having their V5 documents in week two to 80.8% in week four. Figures for public authority vehicles also showed an improvement, from 76% to 80.6% over the same period. Both are still below the average figure, however.

BCA's Tom Madden commented: 'We were concerned that some sectors of the industry had not appreciated the importance of the V5. These latest figures show that the message is certainly getting through to wholly-owned fleets and the public authorities with both sectors recording significant percentage point improvements in recent weeks.

'All the signs indicate that the number of cars sold with V5 at BCA will continue to rise steadily throughout the year. By working closely with our customers and providing them with the tools to help them effect change, the average number of vehicles sold with V5 rose by some 20% in the fourth quarter of 2002 and has continued to rise into 2003.

'That is significantly more vehicles offered with an even better chance of selling first time for more money.'