Trade plate vehicle movements in Colchester and north Essex

Getting around Colchester on the A12, A120 and A133

The A12 is the main way in, with Chelmsford to the south west and Ipswich to the north east. The A120 runs east to Harwich and west to Braintree, and the A133 heads out towards Clacton past Frating. A closure on the A12 at Eight Ash Green or traffic around the garrison can slow things down, so we plan collection times around the real roads rather than promising a same day slot.

The centre around the castle, the High Street and North Hill is tight, while Severalls, Whitehall Road and the Hythe are mostly units behind barriers. Prettygate and Greenstead are residential, so the driver needs somewhere legal to stop. Tell us which part of town the car is in and we will send the driver straight there.

Wivenhoe, Frating, Marks Tey, Manningtree, Clacton and Ipswich are all close by. A Severalls collection with a Prettygate delivery is one job, and so is a Colchester to Glasgow run. If the other postcode is CO12, that is Harwich, which has its own page.

Auction collections from Manheim Frating, BCA Chelmsford and BCA Enfield

There is no auction site in Colchester itself. The nearest is Manheim Frating, out between Colchester and Clacton. BCA Chelmsford is the closest BCA down the A12. BCA Enfield is further west if that is where you bought.

We confirm release with the site you name before a driver is sent, so nobody arrives at a locked gate. See how our auction collection after release works. Salvage vehicles cannot travel on trade plates.

Garrison town stock, part exchanges and fleet vans

A typical Colchester booking might be an independent sending a car to a Chelmsford or London group site, a part exchange heading to Frating once it is legal to drive, a fleet van leaving Severalls or a customer in Prettygate expecting a driver at the door. If the car is at Manheim Frating, please say Frating rather than Colchester so the driver goes to the right place.

A locked unit on Whitehall Road and a gated house off North Hill need different instructions, so add a named contact for each end. Our page on site transfers and retail handovers explains how we handle both.

Three Colchester stations and one clear booking

Colchester station on the main line sits north of the centre, Colchester Town serves the south side and Hythe is a third stop. After a one way delivery we pick whichever suits the drop, so our driver gets home without a second vehicle being tied up.

The details that matter most are the estate name, the barrier code and the person meeting the driver. With those on the quote and a date you can keep, a Wivenhoe to Colchester hop is just as well documented as a long run, with photos at collection, a signature on delivery and one report by email.

Booking your Colchester movement

We supply the trade plates, and the vehicle must be roadworthy and legal to drive with a valid MOT where one is required. Our motor trade road risk insurance covers it from collection until it is signed for. Read more about driven trade plate vehicle movements and how OVM covers the UK from Glasgow.

For an instant quote, enter the registration, both postcodes and your dates, with no account or obligation. You can also call 0141 459 1302 or write to us at 48 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1BP.