High demand for vans

Sep 30 2009 Maurice Glover

High demand for vans

VAN values rose as a result of 'unseasonably strong' demand in the auction rings during August.

Average values for fleet and lease, dealer part-exchange and nearly new vehicles increased by an average five per cent to reach £3,745 - the highest point since April 2008, according to a British Car Auctions survey.

'August proved to be a remarkably strong month for LCV sales and certainly outperformed the customary 'summer holiday season' market," says BCA's commercial sales general manager Duncan Ward.

"Supplies of good retail quality vans were relatively limited and buyers were bidding strongly for the best examples, particularly from the fleet sector, where competition was intense. A number of corporate vendors recorded 100 per cent sales conversions for the first time.

'This could mark a significant point in the price recvery for LCVs. We wonder if values could be climbing again following a period of five months when they have re ained fairly static,'