News

Demand for used commercial vehicles has remained strong, keeping prices up over recent weeks, according to Glass's Guide.

There is depressed demand for new models, and feedback from the used CV market shows that the boom in sales activity is down to a shortage of used stock resulting from fewer registrations over recent months, the April edition of the guide says.

"A marketplace hungry for vans ensures there is plenty  of hammer action across the auction halls, with exceptionally high conversion rates," says George Alexander, editor of Glass' Guide. "Examples of well-presented, low-mileage lots are proving to be high on the buyer's wish list."

With the major vendors predicting continuing shortages of used stock over the coming months and a lift in demand expected in spring, prices are expected to hold steady in April - with even better prospects for May.

Earlier this month, Duncan Ward, British Car Auctions' head of LCV sales, reported rising confidence in the used light CV market with stronger bidding, higher conversions and improving prices.

In the market for used light vans there is currently plenty of ex-BT and ex-Royal Mail stock on offer, but a shortage of small, fuel-efficient vans - such as the Renault Clio, Fiat Punto, Vauxhall Corsa, and Citroen C2 - has coincided  with increased demand, which helps to support this end of the market.

Over the first quarter of 2009, considerably more Mercedes-Benz Vitos became available in the used panel van market, with many showing signs of a having had a hard life, and as a consequence they performed poorly at auction. Better examples maintain their grip on the market, as does the occasional Volkswagen T4 Transporter or older Caravelle, which outperform the competition in terms of desirability and price.

Despite the heavyweight sector attracting a surprising number of buyers, prices are significantly lower than a year ago. Most chassis on offer are sold provisionally, with only clean and tidy lots selling outright, Glass's Guide says.