Outlining the findings, MyCarCheck.com’s LCV expert, David Hill, said: ‘Our highly desirable choice this month is the Volkswagen Transporter Kombi, with a 102 or 140bhp engine. Crew cab and double cab vans are in demand at the moment as people want them to take the children on camping holidays and all the stuff that goes with that. Condition is a lot more important than mileage on these vehicles.
‘In terms of vans that hold their value, safe bets don’t come much safer than the Renault Trafic Sport crew van. Like the VW, it looks good and has been around in its current guise for ages. Mileage can be more of an issue on the Renault and its sister van the Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive, but both enjoy wide retail appeal. As always, it is worth checking to make sure the one you’re looking at hasn’t been clocked or written off, especially when buying privately.
‘For our “used star” this month we’ve gone for the Ford Transit Short Wheelbase double cab in van (DCiV) 140 bhp. These are rare in the used market, particularly in the desirable Trend specification, but they are great workhorses.'
As to market trends, Hill commented: ‘The May LCV marketplace was slow, but with two bank holidays that was always likely to be the case. Volume has risen and some prices have started to stall, but it doesn’t look like the market will slide too much over the summer months.
‘In the small van market, there is still a shortage of stock and prices are steady. The better the specification the easier it is to sell, but you still have to give all the money to buy this stock. With Citroën Nemo and its stable mates being joined by the new Ford Transit Courier, the small panel van section is starting to carve out its own niche in the market. This suggests that Vauxhall were correct in stopping the very popular Astra van.
‘Renault Kangoo still looks good value for money with the Maxi a better buy and models with two side loading doors and the plus specification selling especially well. Mercedes Benz Citan is available from Mercedes dealers, with very few of them in the open market. Even some Mercedes dealers have lowered the prices to move them on. Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo are about in numbers, but just enough to feed the retail market.
‘In terms of medium size panel vans, this sector is still dominated by the ex-media Citroen Dispatches with good low miles (and clean body work after the full wrap has been removed). They will continue to come into the market for a while yet, but values are remaining firm with these and the sister vans. As soon as a Toyota Hi-Ace comes onto the market it is quickly snapped-up by the trade as they have such a loyal following.
‘There continues to be huge demand for larger vans. The trade is looking at Vauxhall Movano and Renault Master long wheelbase models, as the Ford Transit long wheelbase just isn’t available in the volume required. It will probably remain this way until the new model starts to come through. Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans are about in just the right amount, but they have to be almost out of the box condition to achieve trade values,’ he added.