It was a case of ‘steady as she goes’ with the used van market in June, as Manheim Auctions reported that, at £3,109, the average wholesale used van sale price was down 0.5% – or £16 – compared with May.

This follows five consecutive month-on-month increases in average wholesale used van prices.

Compared with June last year, average used prices are up by 0.5% (£16), with average age the same at 54 months and average mileage 5,297 miles lower at 67,765.

The underlying outlook is also for continued stability during the summer months.

The latest report highlights that decreases in values of vans more than two years old were mainly offset by increases in values of vans less than two years old. 

Examples of the decreases in average month-on-month values in June included car-derived vans down by 4.9% (£101) to £1,976, small panel vans down by 1.9% (£65) to £3,283, panel vans under 3.0 tonnes gvw down by 2.0% (£53) to £2,571 and 4x4s down by 1.6% (£87) to £5,406.

Not all vans more than two years old went down in value in June with large panel vans above 3.0t increasing by 6.4% (£178) to £2,963, fridge vans up by 8.1% (£207) to £2,750 and box vans and Lutons up by 6.6% (£233) to £3,765.

Alex Wright, sales director, commercial vehicles, at Manheim, said: “The recovery in wholesale used van prices in 2009 appears to have stabilised.

“However, there are two major factors to consider: firstly, we are entering the seasonal period where values traditionally harden; secondly, and arguably more importantly, we have seen volume increases year-on-year in May and June of 31% and 37% respectively.

“So, when taking into consideration the current economic factors, the slight fall in average values of 0.5% in June confirms the continued strength in wholesale used van values and there may still be some upward price movement in specific vehicle segments while demand remains healthy.”