The national auction market recorded a strong year-on-year uplift in August 2025, contrasting with the quieter trading period a year earlier, according to newly released data from Essential Information Group.
Lots offered rose 22.7% to 1,738, while sales increased 15.3% to 1,113, underlining greater buyer engagement. The total raised climbed 14.1% to £171.8m. However, the percentage sold eased to 64.0%, showing that although more stock was brought to market and absorbed, buyer selectivity continued to limit overall success rates.
Residential assets drove much of the growth, with a 13.5% increase in capital raised. Commercial property also gained ground, advancing 20.5% during August.
Regional contrasts
Performance over the rolling quarter from June to August 2025 highlighted marked regional variation.
The North West posted a 14.6% rise in sales, alongside stronger success rates.
Yorkshire and the Humber recorded a 41.8% surge in totals raised, largely fuelled by residential demand.
The East Midlands and West Midlands also achieved double-digit growth in capital raised.
By contrast, the North East and Wales saw significant declines in activity.
These results underscore how local economic conditions and stock profiles continue to shape outcomes across the country.
Market outlook
Over the past 12 months, the auction sector has shown resilience and steady growth despite shifts in buyer sentiment. Higher volumes and rising totals demonstrate its continuing appeal for investors and owner-occupiers. At the same time, the easing in success rates suggests greater caution and price sensitivity among buyers.
Overall, auctions remain a flexible and effective route to market, balancing increased supply with more selective demand.
Stuart Collar-Brown, NAVA Propertymark President, comments, “In July, we witnessed fantastic growth in the residential sector year-on-year, and today’s figures further demonstrate the same pattern. The auction market has defied the seasonal summer lull that is usually seen in the overall property market and has been the busiest period that I can remember since starting out in 2008.
“It is also encouraging to see that the commercial market enjoyed growth in August 2025 at a time when inflation and a lack of confidence in the retail market are two factors continuing to overshadow high street growth.
“However, while it is clear that many people are opting to sell by auction in the North of England, Wales, and the Midlands, this is an indication that house price growth is accelerating faster in some parts of the country compared to others due to there being more affordable house prices in those regions.”
