Used van buyers are increasingly using online auctions to buy specific models they want, according to used commercial vehicle value guide CAP.

A CAP spokesman said: “There are too many poor quality vehicles in a market with limited supplies. Many dealers are addressing this by using online auctions, which reduce operational expenses and overcome regional variances in model mix.

“Some report that buying online is now the only way they can get hold of particular models, particularly those with metallic paint.”

CAP reports that panel vans are accounting of around 35% of all used sales at present, with Ford Transit performing better than most. Average sale prices have fallen short of book prices, but this is mainly due to the large number of poorly-presented vans on offer.

Meanwhile, Glass’s Guide to Commercial Vehicle Values reports that rising numbers of retail buyers are attending wholesale events, drawn by the myth that ‘vans always go cheap at auction’.  

George Alexander, editor of the guide, said: “On occasion, these potential customers bid close to the prices that some dealers might typically charge, strengthening prices in the auction halls.  

“As a result, traders are seeing their margins shrinking, finding it difficult to reflect these higher prices on their pitches.”