BCA says that it will be business as usual, with sales remaining online and extended opening hours for vehicle collections, during lockdown.

New tighter restrictions come into force from tomorrow (Thursday, November 5), but BCA’s chief operating officer for UK remarketing, Stuart Pearson, says that all sales at BCA remain online only.

He added: “As we move into the second lockdown, we are keeping abreast of the fast-changing and evolving government guidance in order to protect our people, customers and suppliers.”

The experience of managing significant challenges placed on the industry during the first lockdown, explained Pearson, had put the firm in “good stead” to deal with a second lockdown.

“Our extensive programme of real time online events and multi-channel buying options will continue as we aim to meet the demand for stock from our buyer base,” he said 

“The wholesale marketplace is performing very efficiently and this is good news for all professional operators in the used vehicle sector.”

During this week, vehicle collection periods will be extended to 8pm, Monday to Friday, to provide customers with additional opportunity to collect vehicles at a time that suits their needs, and this will remain under review during the forthcoming weeks, says BCA.

Its online click and collect service is currently handling more than 10,000 requests weekly and it is developing new functionality within its Buyer app to allow customers to book BCA click and collect slots directly from their mobile device. 

BCA’s transport operations will also continue to be fully available to support our customers bringing vehicles into, and away from its centres.

Pearson continued: “We continue to develop functionality for the new digital buyer audience, enhancing the wider user experience for customers using both the BCA Buyer app and bca.co.uk.

“Our online sales programme will adapt to meet the changing needs of our buyers in the current market, utilising the connectivity and efficiency across the BCA Group to provide more of the right vehicles to the marketplace at the right time.

“BCA will continue to work behind the scenes to ensure our professional buyer customers and the broad range of professional fleet, lease, finance and dealer vendors representing every part of the motor industry can trade safely, efficiently and profitably through this second lockdown period and beyond.”