THE USED commercial vehicle market has performed far better than expected this summer, with record sales recorded at the auction centres of rival disposals giants British Car Auctions and Manheim Auctions. They both believe the increase is as a direct result of an increase in confidence from small businesses in the state of the economy.

Manheim says that in both July and August its van sales were up 200% on its predicted budget and Alex Wright, Manheim's group commercial manager, said: 'As this year sets a template for future years with its first ever bi-annual plate-change, the new millennium will have a lot to live up to. The reason for this boom in the second-hand van market would appear to be a surge of confidence with the small businesses which buy them.

'It is these businesses, the one-man-band company with a handful of employees, which are snapping up vans from forecourts as fast as dealers can line them up. Predictions of growth in the economy are everywhere and it this which has led to a rise-and-shine summer rather than the usual slumber we have grown to accept in the auction halls.'

And BCA's operations sales adviser for LCVs, Duncan Ward, says that throughout July and August dedicated Van Plus sales have attracted record numbers of buyers. He said: 'The market place is very strong for LCV sales, with excellent values and high conversion rates. 'The underlying economic optimism and feelgood factor generated by low interest rates is keeping values firm, as small businesses take the opportunity to replace or upgrade their working vehicles.'