News

Manheim Auctions has compiled a list of the most common areas of damage to vans, with advice on whether it's worth repairing them in order to maximise residual values.

Roof damage is considered a minor problem, and according to Manheim Auctions you don't need to waste your money repairing dents. It's a similar story with minor sill and mid-panel damage on panel vans, which apparently aren't worth worrying  about either. Likewise, the odd bump and scratch on rear doors and rear panels aren't going to concern most buyers at auction, and Manheim says not to waste money on repairs.

However, of far more importance are missing plastic bumper ends and bodywork trim. This is because potential buyers will be nervous that panels or mounting brackets are damaged.

As far as interior load area damage is concerned, this is likely to put off buyers and have a negative effect on residual prices. However, such repairs are complex and costly. Manheim's advice is to always specify a ply lining, avoiding such damage from the outset.

As far as dropsides and tippers are concerned, the load areas are considered to be working zones, and buyers therefore expect and accept cosmetic damage. However they won't appreciate distorted metal or dried cement and tarmac.

It cites large scratches, chips and dents on bonnets, wings and doors as important, and these are areas that it  will address on behalf of the vendor though Dent Wizard UK - a company it owns.

It also recommends that sellers take advantage of its body polishing and valet service. Similarly the auction house says it can repair dashboards, interior trim and seats, and says this work "won't cost a fortune and you'll see a higher price as a result".

However Manheim's CV sales director Alex Wright stresses that age, condition, mileage and usage should all play a key role in your decision. "For instance you wouldn't necessarily want to spend much money refurbishing a 175,000-mile Transit," he says. He also stresses the importance of not carrying out a poor DIY repair job, "as this could make a vehicle look cheap and could hint towards sub-standard repair and maintenance practices".

• On the surface, silver vans make the most money on the used market, but Manheim Auctions says it's not as clear-cut as that.

  According to its latest market analysis report into the correlation between colours and residual values, the higher cost or repair of silver vans is causing used prices to fall in some sectors.

  This is having a noticeable affect on the demand for new silver vans.

  "Previously operators opted for silver to make their vehicles more high-profile while on the road but higher body panel repair costs associated with metallic silver have changed their strategy," says Manheim's Commercial Vehicle sales director Alex Wright.

  "Very few higher mileage operators are now opting for silver, because of these repair issues and the fact that minor body damage such as scratches and dents are more visible on a silver van," he says.