BCA reports LCV used values achieve new record in February

By Tim Campbell

23 March 2018

The average used value of vans increased to a new record high at BCA in February, following another strong month of trading in-lane and online.

Volumes remained high as the company introduced an enhanced sales programme, with additional sales staged nationwide.

Average values rose by £242 (3.5%) during the month to reach £7,069 – the first time on record that average LCV values have risen above £7,000.

Digital buyers continued to be active, said BCA, especially when wintry conditions made travel difficult. Meanwhile, year-on-year values remain well ahead, up by £520, equivalent to a 7.9% increase over the period. Average age and mileage were marginally down year-on-year, it said.

Year-on-year all vans

All vans	Avg Age (mnths)	Avg Mileage	Avg Value
Feb 2017	50.94	68,627	£6,549
Feb 2018	49.65	67,510	£7,069

Duncan Ward, BCA’s LCV operations director, said: “The LCV market has started the year exceptionally strongly and demand from buyers is high.

"Both professional buyers and end users are bidding confidently across a range of makes, models and configurations of panel vans with strong competition for examples that are in ready-to-retail condition.

“With the uplift in major construction projects and new build housing nationwide, tippers and dropsides are likely to remain at premium values for some time to come.”

Having fallen in January, fleet and lease LCVs rose in value in February as demand remained high and volumes eased slightly, reported BCA.

Values climbed by £174 (2.3%) to £7,695 in February, with retained value against MRP (Manufacturer Recommended Price) increasing by over half a point to 37.90%.

Year-on-year, values remain well ahead, up by £516 (7.1%), with average age rising slightly and mileage declining when compared to the same period in 2017.

Year-on-year table: Fleet & lease vans

Fleet/Lease	Avg Age (mnths)	Avg Mileage	Avg Value	Sale vs MRP
Feb 2017	39.25	62,946	£7,179	36.20%
Feb 2018	39.89	61,055	£7,695	37.90%

Average part-exchange LCV values fell in February by £150 (3.2%) to £4,425, although this was the third highest monthly value recorded for part-exchange LCVs. Year-on-year, values were up by £423 (10.5%) with comparative age declining and mileage rising compared to the same month in 2017.

Year-on-year table: Part-Ex vans

Part-Ex	Avg Age (mnths)	Avg Mileage	Avg Value
Feb 2017	82.74	90,475	£4,002
Feb 2018	81.08	91,934	£4,425

Nearly-new LCV values rose in February to £14,726, with year-on-year values showing a 9.1% uplift. As always, this has to be taken in the context of the very low volumes reaching the market, seasonal pressures and the model mix factor, said BCA.

Year-on-year table: Nearly new vans