SMA becomes Britain’s first fully online auction house

SMA will soon become the first car auction house in the UK to fully embrace the internet by providing real time access via the company’s live bid system to every one of its sales across its auction sites.

The pioneering move ensures trade buyers will be able to buy any vehicle passing through their auction site from anywhere in the UK. The company believes its new service will bring huge benefits for both buyers and sellers.

The business has been trialling its system at various sites across its group in order to ensure the best service possible for all its customers. A considerable investment programme has perfected the online video imagery of all vehicles passing through the auctions.

Eddie Thompson, SMA Sales Director, said: “Online services are nothing new to the car auction industry, however SMA has boldly raised the bar by becoming the first group in the UK to offer the service for every sale including plant and heavy equipment.”

He added: “We have invested heavily in providing what we believe is the ultimate service which allows buyers to “attend” an SMA auction without leaving the comfort of their office or home. While we don’t believe going online will replace the physical auctions, having the option of full internet access, in real time, is an additional service.”

SMA logistics ensures vehicles are swiftly transported from the sale to their destinations.

SMA has designed its online service to be extremely user friendly with only basic computer skills and an email address needed as the prerequisite.

Eddie Thompson added: “There will also be the facility to have a fully trained SMA inspector to appraise any vehicle for a prospective online purchaser before, or during, every sale.”

Doug Cowan, co-owner of Hampton Court Motor Company based in Hampton Court, Surrey, paid tribute to SMA’s new system. Having bought 30 cars using the online auction facility during its trial period, he says it has played a vital, and effortless, role in replenishing his stock.

Mr Cowan said: “SMA’s online auction system is terrific. It has put paid to me having to either fly or drive to Scotland to make use of the company’s facilities, saving me a huge amount of time and expense.

“The condition of every vehicle is perfectly outlined in the sale description and video link is exceptionally clear and precise and if I ever have a query, an SMA inspector, many with direct retail motor trade experience, is on hand to answer my call swiftly and directly. It really is the closest thing to actually being in the auction hall.”