A new online auction website, DealerTrade Auction, has launched offering a free service to dealers, car supermarkets, fleets and finance companies.

It is the result of a partnership between DealerTrade and Independent Motor Auctions and caters for the whole of the automotive market, not just franchised dealers.

A trio of former Manheim employees created the platform and claim that the free-to-use “online community” will save many traders around 10% of a vehicles’ price in fees.

Vendors can upload cars to the site themselves, with the vehicle remaining on their premises. The winning bidder pays the vendor directly.

Justin Lane, managing director of Independent Motor Auctions, said: “We have invested heavily in the development of DealerTrade Auction and it is supported by more than 100 years of motor experience between the two companies that are behind it. We can now offer local and national clients two auction sites in Leeds and Blackpool, as well as our new online auction service.

“We are delighted that so many companies have already agreed to use the free-to-sell service.  Up until now, the majority of online auctions have specialised in one area of the market, but now a host of automotive clients can access our free-to-sell auction service.”