BRITISH Car Auctions is claiming a record start to 1998 with the number of vehicles being sold through its centres nationwide at all-time high volumes. The company says that in the first week of 1998 the number of vehicles sold was the highest on record for the first week of a New Year. BCA also says conversion rates were high and the demand for stock was strong across the board in the UK. However, BCA declined to reveal its record-breaking figures.

In the west country BCA's 20-acre Bridgwater centre claims to have recorded its highest ever volume sold figure for the first week of the year. And at BCA Brighouse, fleet and light commercial sales reached the highest first week volumes since it opened for business nearly 25 years ago. BCA Measham saw exceptional values achieved across a broad range of stock.

BCA joint managing director Andrew Hulme added: '1998 has started very brightly. Demand for vehicles has been very strong right across our product range with some exceptional prices being achieved all round the country. Nine auction centres enjoyed record volumes in individual sales, while six others recorded their best first week ever.'