The latest data from the Essential Information Group, closely monitoring the UK auction market, shows a dip in monthly year-on-year activity in May.

Lots offered were down 2.7% and sales fell by 7.7%. The national success rate dropped to 68.7%, with the residential sector accounting for much of the decline. 

Despite this, EIG says the total raised was only slightly lower, down 1.1%, suggesting that well-priced stock continues to perform. The market remains active, but buyers are becoming more selective and are less likely to engage where pricing doesn’t meet expectations. 

The March-May 2025 rolling quarter showed a similar pattern. \

The group says that while supply is up across much of the country, sale rates are under pressure in a number of areas. The East Midlands, South-West and Wales recorded increases in both entries and sales, but in regions such as London and Yorkshire, a disconnect is emerging between the lots and buyer demand.

Overall, the data points to a market that remains active, though more finely balanced than in recent months. 

Early interest is playing a greater role in whether lots are offered, with auctioneers responding to bidder behaviour in real time. Encouragingly, where properties are priced in line with expectations and attract early attention, competitive bidding is still being achieved – a positive sign that demand is there for the right opportunities.

In response to this Stuart Collar-Brown – NAVA Propertymark president – comments: “It’s positive to see the overall number of lots offered remaining resilient when looking at month on month numbers for both the residential and commercial sector. Considering we have witnessed sizeable economic turbulence across the year so far, with elevated base rates and stamp duty threshold changes in April this year, it is little shock this has brought a negative effect on the number of lots sold at auction in May 2025. 

“However, if we look at the wider picture and trend on a year-on-year basis for lots sold, the figures demonstrate incredible growth and confidence in the profession for residential and commercial properties delivering 7.2%. and 7.5% growth respectively. 

“As sales for both residential and commercial properties continue to adapt to current economic factors, any monthly dip will hopefully prove only temporary, and momentum will again likely gather pace across the traditionally busy summer period.”