Vans will continue to be hard to find on the used vehicle lots for at least another year - and the prices they achieve are set to remain high for the foreseeable future as demand continues to outstrip supply.

That was the stark message as a major auction group revealed “chronic” shortages in volumes and record prices for dwindling stock as the CV Show opened in Birmingham.

“There’s no doubt that people are working their vans harder than ever before.

“On average, the vans we’re now selling are around five years old and they’re fetching good prices, which is good news for the vendors. It’s hard to estimate just how long this situation will last, but all the signs are that it will continue for some time to come,” said Manheim Remarketing commercial vehicles director James Davis.

According to Davis, average prices for light commercial vehicles rose to a record level of £4,417 last month.

“The shortage means buyers are having to look further for stock and while there’s no substitute for seeing the vehicles you want to buy in the metal, we’ve had a 300 per cent increase in on-line bids at our auctions so far this year,” he said.

Author: Maurice Glover