The report shows that during April the average values of used LCV’s at auction rose from £4,293 to £4,497, equivalent to a 5% increase between March and April. With conversion rates staying at 80% and sales volumes and mileages falling by significant amounts, market analysts predict prospects for May and June will be encouragingly high.
The average number of days that LCVs remained on site was 10.7, a year-on-year reduction of 5.6 days. This reduction in days on site will be of benefit to corporate vendors as it will provide a boost to cash flow as vehicles are disposed of more quickly.
Average number of days on site
| Nov-12 | Dec-12 | Jan-13 | Feb-13 | Mar-13 | Apr-12 | Apr-13 | Year-on-year difference | |
| 12.9 | 12.9 | 14.7 | 12.4 | 10.9 | 16.3 | 10.7 | -5.6 |
In addition, despite the average age having increased by 7.3 months and average mileage rising by 5,508 miles, conversion rates were 5% higher. Whilst the year-on-year average price was down £213, it is important to note that the LCVs sold in April 2013 were on average significantly older and had covered more miles than those sold in the same month of 2012.
Average age in months
| Nov-12 | Dec-12 | Jan-13 | Feb-13 | Mar-13 | Apr-12 | Apr-13 | Year-on-year difference | |
| 60.5 | 59.7 | 64.1 | 63.3 | 64.9 | 57.6 | 64.9 | 7.3 |
The price difference between first-time entries compared to subsequent sales has been closing in recent months, with a difference of only £120 in April 2013.
Prices for first-time entries compared to prices at subsequent sales
| Sep-12 | Oct-12 | Nov-12 | Dec-12 | Jan-13 | Feb-13 | Mar-13 | Apr-13 | |
| Price- 1st entry | £4,590 | £4,750 | £4,615 | £4,750 | £4,390 | £4,550 | £4,325 | £4,600 |
| Price- 2nd entry | £4,375 | £4,325 | £4,450 | £4,325 | £3,930 | £4,360 | £4,045 | £4,480 |
Alex Wright, chairman of NAMA Commercial Vehicle Group, commented: ‘With the April report delivering such a positive message in regards to nearly every aspect of the used LCV market it likely that few will be able to remember a time when the market for light commercial vehicles was so vibrant with demand being so well matched to supply.
‘If all vendors continue to price their vehicles to the market value and allow the auctions to have ample time to pre-market their vehicles, it is probable that 2013 will deliver the best returns seen for vans in many a year.’