Overview
The Vehicle Remarketing Association will open its 2026 calendar with a member meeting centered on crime and cybersecurity impacts on the used-vehicle sector, alongside an update on used-car and van market performance.
When and where
Jan. 22, 2026, at epyx’s Meriden offices.
Primary risk topics on the agenda
- Ghost plates and identity obfuscation
- Odometer fraud (clocking)
- Keyless theft trends
- Cyber threats to operations and data
The VRA notes that criminal methods and cyber risks are evolving quickly; recent incidents such as the JLR parent company cyberattack underscore why cybersecurity is a current priority for the industry.
Speakers and contributors
- Jonathan Hartley, Sales & Marketing Director, Jepson
- Mark Rodbert, CEO, idax Software
- Mark Rose, VP & Managing Director, Tracker Network
- Additional speakers to be announced
Market insight
cap hpi will provide analysis as 2026 begins. Chris Plumb, Head of Current Valuations, will cover pricing and demand in a market emerging from a volatile period. Member sentiment is described as cautiously optimistic, with attention to risks such as supply constraints, consumer affordability, and cost pressures.
Why it matters for remarketers
- Identity integrity, mileage accuracy, and vehicle security underpin buyer–seller confidence.
- Ghost plates complicate provenance checks and documentation trust.
- Odometer fraud distorts valuations and harms traders and consumers.
- Keyless theft tests on-site and in-transit security controls.
- Cyberattacks can disrupt platforms, logistics, and customer data protection across the supply chain.
The meeting emphasizes both prevention and practical mitigation: robust verification, improved data validation, stronger cybersecurity, supplier oversight, and operational resilience.
Practical takeaways expected
- Tighten vehicle verification and mileage validation workflows.
- Enhance collaboration with data providers and law enforcement.
- Adopt defense-in-depth cyber controls and incident response playbooks.
- Improve protection for vehicles awaiting sale or in transit.
- Use market insight to calibrate stock acquisition, pricing, disposal channels, and reserve strategies.
VRA program for 2026
The association plans five member meetings, culminating in the annual VRA Automotive Summit on Nov. 22, which it aims to expand in scope and impact. Recent VRA discussions have featured AI in remarketing and EV battery repair, reflecting technology’s growing role in the used market.
Bottom line
The Jan. 22 meeting is positioned as an early-year checkpoint: assess rising crime and cyber risks, align on practical defenses, and reset market strategies with fresh valuation and demand insights.
