With new car volumes still recovering , used cars are playing an important role in helping dealers satisfy consumer demand – and stock is flying! Vehicles changed hands over 30% faster last year, with average days to sell dropping from just over 4 days in 2024 to 2.8 days.
When stock volume is down and competition is high, profit per vehicle is more important than ever, and you need to stack the odds in your favour. How are successful dealers finding – and, most importantly, winning – stock in this competitive market?
Worry not, we’ve got 7 top tips for super successful stock sourcing in 2026:
Finding stock…
- Be flexible
As dealers strengthen their used car offering, many are utilising every stock source they can to access the vehicles they need. Leveraging digital platforms is a powerful way of increasing access to more stock sources in one place and Dealer Auction has a wide range to choose from. From traditional trade stock to Retail Ready gems and even Consumer Direct, the options are endless.
What’s more, savvy dealers are reassessing their stock profiles to keep their forecourts filled – some are increasing the age and mileage of the stock they usually sell and even stocking brands they wouldn’t normally offer. With successful dealers adapting their stock profiles, could you be missing out on an opportunity to diversify?
- Stay alert
The digital experience is not only immediate, but personalised too. Get instant notifications the second a vehicle hits the platform – and with advanced filtering, you can be notified of the exact car you need. Last year we sent out over 35 million alerts, getting the right stock straight to the right buyer. Choose from instant, weekly and daily notifications, plus get notifications for when vehicles you’re watching are coming to an end. There’s no reason to miss out on the stock you need!
- Get data-savvy
It goes without saying that you know your business better than anyone, but with so many different forces at play in the used car market, it’s more important than ever to be on top of all the changing prices, demand and consumer trends. Digital auctions don’t just allow you to buy vehicles online – they support your instinct with data, helping you concentrate your efforts on the right stock. That way, you can make decisions quickly and confidently so you never miss an opportunity.
This links back to our first tip! By determining the desirability in your area, data such as Auto Trader’s Retail Rating and ‘days to sell’ can support you in being flexible in your approach to stock sourcing – essentially helping you pick the vehicles that are going to make you more profit, regardless of age or brand. At Dealer Auction, we provide you with the data you need to bid on a vehicle, safe in the knowledge that you can shift it quickly and profitably, meaning that cash will be back in the bank quickly.
- Don’t just look at ‘Ending soonest’
While it’s tempting to view the vehicles that are ending soonest on Dealer Auction to get a quick turnaround, remember that profit per vehicle is more important than ever. By viewing ‘newly listed’ results every now and again, you can find the freshest vehicles on the site, allowing you to do your research well in advance.
Not only that, you can also sort listings by factors such as AT Retail Rating, estimated margin, and average days to sell – helping you find the right and most profitable vehicles for your business in just a few clicks.
Winning stock
- Hold on to the magic number
You’ll have done your homework and will know what the vehicle is worth to you, so make sure to always keep that figure at the forefront of your mind. If the bids start rising, it can be tempting to get caught up and spend more than you intended. Make it simple and not use our proxy bidding system. Just set a maximum amount and let us do the rest!
- Bid creatively
Beat the odds! Do you normally bid in even numbers? Well, you’re amongst the majority. By placing bids (or proxy bids) in uneven increments, for example £213 instead of £200, you’ll always outbid those who place even bids. Job done!
- Take our recommendation
When browsing the Dealer Auction platform, you may notice recommended stock appearing alongside your search results. These suggestions are not random. They are generated using your real buying behaviour and your forecourt profile, helping surface stock that is more relevant to you and your business.
The road to auction success
Finding the right stock is one of the perennial challenges for used car dealers…and we know how important it is to get it right.
With the current demand for quality used cars, dealers shouldn’t be compromising on their stock-buying strategies. By following the above tips, you can not only find the right stock for your forecourt, but also be confident that you’ll be in the winning position as the digital hammer falls!
We’re here to support you in strengthening your used car offering. Volumes may be less, but profits can still be strong – and by using real-time data and insight to drive your decisions, you can make every vehicle work harder for you.
Sounds good? Then why not take us for a test drive for 90 days? Buy faster. Buy smarter.
