THE performance of the MPV sector is proving the real surprise package of 2003. Demand has been strong every single month according to Manheim Auctions, which surveyed its 18-site auction network in the UK.

Manheim Auction's chief auctioneer Andy Shepherd said: 'Normally after three or four months of good performance and more used stock reaching the auctions a model tends to go off the boil, but not with the MPV sector.

'Every single auction I have attended this year there has seen strong bidding on all MPVs, especially the seven seat models, and prices have remained high. At one auction last week a Volkswagen Sharan TDI on a Y-plate made £8,300, £1,500 more than CAP prices, and bidding started at its reserve price', he added.

At one stage in 2002 petrol MPVs struggled to find buyers, but even that situation has now changed with both petrols and diesels in strong demand. According to Vehicle Remarketing Solutions, the used car market is as stable as it has been for years.

The firm's managing director, Mike Pilkington, said: 'The importance of stability for the industry cannot be underestimated because it generates confidence. This stability is cause by a number of factors that include strong retail demand for used vehicles this summer.

Last week, Manheim Auctions reported that a buoyant market was seeing prices regularly beat guide values (Fleet NewsNet September 18).

Top five MPV selling tips

  • If faced with a choice between petrol and diesel, choose the latter as they ensure drivers' fuel bills stay under control
  • Make sure the interior is just as clean as the exterior when the car is sold as the trader won't want to spend hours clearing fizzy drinks and chocolate off the seats and carpet
  • Buyers insist on air conditioning as standard, especially after our Indian summer, so avoid models without it
  • Don't opt for any of the garish colours offered by some car makers as three years down the line you may regret it
  • If you opt for any extras, choose something such as an integral CD/DVD entertainment system, which will be more attractive to second- hand buyers than items such as satellite navigation
    Source: Manheim Auctions