British Car Auctions is to establish a used car auction company in France next month with Renault Credit International. It will own 60% of BCAutos Encheres and RCI, part of Renault, will take 40%.

The venture gives BCA - which has outlets in eight European countries - its first foothold in France, a market it has targeted since the early Nineties. Strict regulations governing second-hand goods had acted as a trade barrier, said BCA chairman and chief executive Tom Gibson.

“We have worked to change the state monopoly and we expect the reforms to be approved by the French authorities by the end of the year.”

Mr Gibson said BCA would “create a viable auction network and a healthier used car market in France”. He expects to have national coverage within five years.

RCI owns leading French auction house Transparcs, which has outlets in Paris and Lyons. Both sites will be redeveloped, said Mr Gibson.