Used van prices continue go from strength to strength.

Now standing at £3,683, average wholesale used van prices increased by 2.6% (£93) in November compared with October, according to the latest Manheim figures.

This is the ninth month this year that average values have increased and the fourth month in a row.

Compared with November last year average wholesale used van prices are up by 39.4% (£1,042) with average age up by two months to 55 months and average mileage 6,180 miles higher at 74,874.

British Car Auctions (BCA), has also reported that average values for used vans sold last month have risen.

It reports that used van prices were at their highest for two years.

At its auctions, average van prices increased to £3,902 from the £3,858 recorded in October, and even outpaced the January 2008 high point of £3,868.

 

BCA's Duncan Ward commented: “Year-on-year values are now ahead by an astounding £1,089 – the biggest year-on-year margin on record and reflecting both the strong performance in November 2009 and just how weak the LCV sector was in November 2008.

“End users have remained very active in the marketplace and delivery firms expanding capacity in advance of Christmas have no doubt buoyed the average price.

"However, despite the increased average values, condition remains critical and bidding is noticeably lighter on any vehicle that is carrying excessive damage – cosmetic or otherwise.

“In short, good, clean vehicles are meeting market price expectations and more, while poorly presented LCVs will often struggle for attention – a two-tier market in other words.”

However, according to Manheim some used vans have fallen in value. An example being car-derived vans, which are down by 0.8% (£20 to £2,578).

Alex Wright, sales director, Commercial Vehicles, Manheim Auctions said: “Although average wholesale values have increased again when compared with the previous month, the actual rate of increase has slowed down.

"Considering that average age and mileage have fallen, the increase is not significant but any increase in values at this time is unexpected.

"Those fleets that deferred replacement in 2008 and 2009 will start to release these vehicles into the wholesale used van market in the early part of 2010.

"That is likely to result in a continuation of a two tier market with older higher mileage vans providing good value for money and younger, lower mileage stock attracting significant premiums."