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Buoyant January market as LCV values rise at auction

Values for LCVs sold at BCA averaged £5,901 in January – a rise of £91 (1.5%) compared to December and the highest value on record. Performance against CAP improved by two percentage points to 101.2%.

Year-on-year values were up by £441 – equivalent to 8.0% – although performance against CAP was down by half a percentage point compared to January 2015, despite the average van in 2015 being around 4.5 months younger and nearly 6,000 miles lower.

Year-on-year table: All vans

All vans

Avg Age (mnths)

Avg Mileage

Avg Value

Sale vs CAP

Jan 2015

 59.55

79,676

£5,460

 101.71%

Jan 2016

54.94 

73,881

£5,901

 101.21%

Commenting on the findings, Duncan Ward, BCA’s LCV operations director, said: “January saw strong levels demand for LCVs at BCA and a buoyant marketplace as average values climbed. The overall sentiment from trade buyers is that retail demand is good and this is keeping the auction halls busy as they compete for stock. Over recent months we have seen a better mix of product available for buyers with a wider choice and less duplication of models.  This, combined with a reduction in the overall age and mileage profile, resulted in healthy average selling prices during January.

“If we see a similar model mix going forwards, we expect February and March to be relatively strong for LCV residual values, based on our experience from previous years.  However, there are signs of a two tier market developing as the best presented and specified vans typically outperform the market by some margin, while higher mileage or damaged examples can struggle to attract attention from the buyers.  It underlines the importance of appraising and valuing vehicles sensibly and in line with market expectations.”

Year-on-year table: Fleet & lease vans

Fleet/Lease

Avg Age (mnths)

Avg Mileage

Avg Value

Sale vs CAP

Sale vs MRP

Jan 2015

 42.47

71,320

£6,478

 100.70%  38.38%

Jan 2016

 42.60

69,351

£6,620

 100.90%  34.56%

The fleet and lease sector recorded average values of £6,620 in January, an increase of £119 (1.8%) compared to December and the highest monthly value recorded since 2014. CAP performance improved from 98.75% to 100.9%, while retained value against MRP (Manufacturer Recommended Price) fell by a percentage point to 34.56%.

BCA found that, year-on-year, values were up by £142 (2.2%), although performance against MRP was down by nearly four percentage points.

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