Successful dealers are using all the sources open to them in order to meet their used car and van stock needs as supply dries up, says e-commerce specialist Epyx.

The company points out that, among dealers buying from its 1link Disposal Network e-commerce platform, those that are thriving are using not just online sources but also traditional auctions, vehicle brokers and even buying direct from existing owners.

Ken Trinder, head of business development at Epyx, said: “Of course, we’d like to promote e-commerce as the answer to all used vehicle stocking ills but the truth in the current climate is that while this is a rapidly growing area of the market, few successful used dealers are getting all the stock they need from one source.

“Instead, they are using every avenue open to them. This means that they are using e-commerce but also still visiting traditional auctions, working closely with intermediaries such as brokers and working hard at ensuring that they get the right trade-ins.

“Used vehicles will remain a key source of dealer profitability as we get further into 2010 and the only way to ensure that you are getting the cars and vans that you need is to ensure that you have every base covered.”