In a move that has wrong-footed many dealers who stocked up on four-to-six year old ex-fleet vans in good condition in anticipation of a surge in demand, operators have instead opted for high mileage, high damage vans of up to four years old, according to Shoreham Vehicle Auctions.
As a result it claimed prices of hard worked models adhering to the standards applying to Euro 4 vans registered after 1 October 2006 had rocketed by up to 50%.
Alex Wright, Shoreham’s boss, (pictured) said the surprising trend in buyer behaviour had left traders having to revise their strategy by introducing lower priced, younger stock to their forecourts.
He said: “A 56-plate Transit Connect or Vauxhall Combo that would have been worth £1000 five months ago is now selling for £1500.”
Wright added: “Buyers coming out of a 9-15 year old van are small businesses which aren’t high mileage users and which can’t or don’t want to get finance. The result is they turn their attention to the cheapest vehicle possible to avoid being penalised.”
