Data from BCA suggests that used van prices will continue to rise despite age or mileage. on average van prices are up 43% compared to five years ago, despite being nearly a year older and having covered 9,000 more miles. In September van values were 23% higher than a year ago,

BCA’s general manager for commercial vehicles, Duncan Ward, said: “The key factor driving the market is the supply of good retail quality stock or rather the lack of it and this means there is plenty of competition for the best examples reaching the market.”Demand has been right across the board, from older higher mileage vans through to younger ex-fleet and lease vehicles, while the few late-plate light commercials on offer can make exceptional values.“The end result has been record-breaking average values for fleet and lease and dealer part exchange vehicles.  As always, good condition is the key and vans with a nice specification and in an attractive retail colour are very desirable.”

New van sales fall sharply between 2008 and 2009 for example in February 2009 , van sales were down 58%. This creates a stock shortage of five year old vans.

“This supply gap means the used light commercial vehicle sector may be short of stock for some time to come,” he said.