Manheim Australia’s passenger vehicle auction division has recorded a 12.9% year-on-year increase in consignment volume for June 2026, with volume sold also rising compared to the same month last year, according to the company’s corporate affairs manager Mike Costello.
Writing in a LinkedIn post, Costello noted the monthly clearance rate was approximately 8% lower year-on-year, but represented the strongest result of any month across the second quarter. Sold vehicles fetched an average of 100.4% of valuation, with Costello crediting vendor pricing alignment work as central to that outcome.
The results come against a backdrop of significant market pressure. Costello pointed to high levels of discounting on new vehicles and pricing competition from incoming Chinese brands as factors placing downward pressure on the selling prices of later-model ex-fleet, lease, and government stock at auction.
Referrals platform driving post-auction outcomes
June 2026 also produced the highest number of successful referrals recorded so far this year, according to Costello. Referrals — where vehicles that do not sell under the gavel are matched with interested buyers through Manheim’s buyer and vendor services teams — have been supported by an updated customer referrals platform the company says simplifies the negotiation process between buyers and sellers.
Franchise dealer channel leads the way
Costello identified the franchise dealer channel as a particular standout for the month. With dealer floorplans described as “quite full,” the ability to move surplus trade-in stock efficiently has become increasingly important for franchise operators.
In June 2026, the average age and mileage profile of vehicles consigned by franchise dealers was the youngest recorded in at least two years. The average time from vehicle book-in to sale for this channel came in at under 12 days, with selling prices reaching 101.3% of reserve.
New mega sites on the horizon
Manheim is also preparing to expand its physical auction infrastructure. The company’s new Manheim TradeCoast facility in Brisbane — described by Costello as a brand new physical auction site — is set to open next week. New sites in Sydney and Melbourne are expected to be operational within the next 12 months.
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