At a time when van auction stock levels are low and most are making very strong money on their first appearance before the rostrum, trade buyers are looking to fill gaps in their pitches with good value, highly desirable and fast turning stock.
Manheim believes that the Royal Mail vans are proving to be so popular because they operate in every community in the UK, creating an emotive bond with potential buyers.
The company holds special Royal Mail van auctions at its Colchester, Gloucester, Haydock and Leeds auction centres. Vans sold include Vauxhall Combo, Ford Transit 260, LDV Pilot, Convoy and Maxus.
Tim Spencer, regional commercial vehicle manager, Manheim commented: ‘Due to historic de-fleet patterns, the market has been starved of Royal Mail vans. Royal Mail vehicles are always presented with excellent service history and full documentation. Buyers know that they are well specified and maintained. On top of that they are realistically priced.
‘Every auction section is very well attended by buyers and the competition for these vehicles is very strong. At a recent sale at Gloucester, two northern buyers travelled over 150 miles to fight out with other local buyers to secure several examples well over reserve.’