Aston Barclay sold 76 of 150 Mercedes-Benz cars offered in two auction events which marked the official launch of its new Virtual Auction app.

The German premium car brand became the first Aston Barclay vendor to sell cars through the new online platform which aims to offer buyers all the benefits of an online and physical sale, including a live auctioneer.

Over 150 used Mercedes-Benz cars stored at the company’s de-fleet/refurbishment centres in Thurleigh, Bedfordshire and Chipping Warden in Oxfordshire were put under the hammer in two separate Virtual Auction sales.

Sale one saw 105 online buyers log on to Virtual Auction and buy 49 used cars, achieving a 61% conversion rate and 101% performance against CAP Clean.

Sale two attracted a total of 525 online bids with 27 used cars sold from a total of 74 entries achieving 99% of CAP.

Trivun Novaković, Mercedes-Benz UK’s national remarketing manager, said: “Virtual Auction is a very dynamic channel as it allows us to sell a selection of used cars based at different locations around the country all in one online sale. It launches an exciting new chapter to our weekly sales programme.

“Buyers are getting used to buying online as the stock is backed up by good quality imagery and detailed descriptions. Online sales reduce the need for transportation which reduces our selling costs.”

Every car entered into an Aston Barclay Virtual Auction is accompanied by photos and a detailed condition description.

All cars were sold online by auctioneer Gordon Cockle.

Novaković added: “Mercedes-Benz has a multi-site remarketing operation and Virtual Auction enables them to offer a mix of cars from across the country without always having to move them into an Aston Barclay site.

“We look forward to rolling out more valuable technology for buyers and sellers over the coming months.”