Used Van Values Flatline In July: Still Up 12.8% On Last Year

Van at BCA auctionUsed van values remained largely flat in July, compared to June, according to the latest figures from auction specialists BCA.

BCA’s July sales figures show that the average light commercial vehicle sold for £4,772 in July, just £6 more than in June. Average age remained largely unchanged at 58 months but, average mileage rose for the third consecutive month.

Despite monthly falls over the last three months, used van values remain 12.8% (£543) higher than they were in July 2012, and vans are selling at an average of 101.3% of their CAP values — up from 99.6% during July last year.

Looking beneath the headline figure, BCA says that fleet and lease values fell, but dealer part-exchange values rose strongly, to the third-highest monthly average value on record.

Commenting on the figures, Duncan Ward BCA’s General Manager – Commercial Vehicles, said:

“The summer holiday period is typically a weaker time for demand but values have been maintained at a similar level to last month largely as a result of the low levels of supply.  Trade buyers are continuing to focus on the very best retail vehicles which are routinely making exceptional money, while vans in poor condition may struggle for attention. ”

BCA used LCV values 2011-13

Average LCV values from June 2011 – July 2013 (courtesy of BCA)

As the graph above shows, the trend in used van values has been relentlessly upwards over the last two years, but Duncan Ward believes this could moderate come September, thanks to an influx of realistically-priced dealer part-exchange vehicles:

“Sellers should consider adjusting valuations now on poorer condition vans with a view to remarketing them before volumes begin to rise and buyers have more choice from mid-September onwards.”

“Vans entered from dealer part-exchange sources have outperformed the market in recent weeks, and values rose sharply during July.   Dealers are valuing their part-exchange vans realistically to tempt buyers in and have reaped the rewards of rising average values, a CAP percentage that is ahead of the wider market performance and good sale conversions as a result.”

The dramatic and long-lasting fall in new van registrations since 2007 has helped support used van values, as the supply of decent quality, one-owner vans has fallen steadily as operators have held onto their vans for much longer than previously, or reduced their overall requirements.

New van registrations have recently started to turn up, and this seems to be being reflected in both UK CV manufacturing output, which has risen recently, and in used van values, which have started to weaken after reaching record highs.

1 thought on “Used Van Values Flatline In July: Still Up 12.8% On Last Year

  1. Pingback: Used Van Values Hit New Record As Supply Crunch Bits - Van News: The VanRental.co.uk Blog

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