The used vehicle sector may need to find ways of adapting to extreme weather of the kind seen during recent weeks and forecast to continue, the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) is warning.
Philip Nothard, chair at the industry body, said its members had reported a range of issues as a result of the heat that made normal day-to-day business activity difficult.
“In some parts of the country, temperatures have regularly been around 30-35 degrees, which is an unusual situation and has created many different problems.
“One of the simplest but most challenging is that stock that has been parked up gets extremely hot. One auction company reported a picture of a car showing 49 degrees on the dashboard display, which just makes it difficult to get in and drive.
“In fact, auction companies have been among the most affected by the weather. Many have seen a drop in footfall because attending was uncomfortable for buyers.
“There have also been delays in stock preparation with valeting becoming tricky in the strong sunshine, while high temperatures have also put a strain on older batteries and cooling systems with more vehicles having to be jump started.”
Logistics and transport of used stock had additionally been affected, Philip added.
“Some remarketing businesses have experienced delays on single uplifts because operators have prioritised breakdowns, while drivers overnighting in sleeper cabs have had an extremely uncomfortable time once the air conditioning is turned off.
“Also, moving drivers around the country between jobs has become much more difficult due to widespread disruption to rail and other public transport.”
Further issues have been seen in bodyshops affecting SMART repairs and wheel refurbishment where paint has dried too quickly because of the heat. Also, fillers have become harder to use successfully.
Philip said: “These are just some of the issues we’re hearing about that make it almost impossible to carry out business at a normal pace. Even where there are no obvious obstacles, everyone tends to be more lethargic and less efficient.
“With the UK becoming hotter and extreme weather of this type becoming more common, it raises the question of what the remarketing sector can do to cope.
“There are obvious solutions, with perhaps the simplest being wider use of air conditioning, but finding ways of shading stock and preparation facilities, and ensuring transportation coverage, should also be high on the agenda.
“Perhaps remarketing businesses need to create extreme weather plans that can quickly be put into action in order to ensure they continue to function as close to normal as possible when temperatures climb.”
*SMMT figures
