Used van values fell by £71 to £3,473 in April, following three successive months of increases, reports British Car Auctions.
However, prices are £701 higher than the low experienced last December. Duncan Ward, head of LCV sales, says the market, having spent most of last year in the doldrums, has a lot more confidence in 2009.
"That is reflected in stronger bidding, higher conversions and improving prices. The [overall] rise in average values has been good news for professional vendors at auction, and obviously reflects an active market at retail level.
"Dealers say sourcing stock is currently their biggest issue to meet the retail demand and increased competition is keeping values keen," he adds.
Integral to values is the fleet and lease sector, which is the biggest provider of stock to the used market, states Ward. It fell by 2.3% [£90] last month, whereas nearly new stock was up 0.5%.
"The fleet and lease sector has been integral to the overall improvements in average used values this year, with the sector recording an £800-plus increase in the past six months.
"However, April's price performance will not have been helped by the distraction of the Easter Bank Holidays falling in the month, which the trade finds disruptive to business."