Auction centres reported a patchy performance.  While attendance levels at some sites were respectable, unfortunately these numbers don’t always translate into more sales, explains George Alexander, Editor of Glass’s Guide to Used Commercial Vehicles.  

Trade buyers that off-load stock through auction, hoping to make a fast buck, have been especially frustrated by the lack of bidding activity.  “Most buyers are targeting the nicest stock, and things could have been a lot worse if it were not for these better vans performing well,” continues Alexander.

At recent sales, vans directly from major leasing and rental companies have taken centre stage, with their representatives allowing big numbers of lots to sell, even where price expectations have not been reached.  “The upside of this strategy is that often such a busy leasing section of an auction will see prices rise noticeably once buyers hear the hammer dropping,” he adds.

Prices for small vans are coming under greater downward pressure as the volumes rise.  Clean examples of low-volume stock boasting sensible mileage perform best.

By contrast, models with older diesel technology prove difficult to shift.  “The exceptions are those with more ‘oomph’ under the bonnet, which increases the chances of a sale,” Alexander concludes.

Used CV market – key trends

George Alexander highlights other key trends in the used CV market:

Used lightweights

• For the latest Vauxhall Astra range, it’s mostly Club that is to be seen at auction with just a sprinkling of Sportives.  Unsurprisingly, those with a nice paint job, smart wheels, air con and electric windows whet the appetite and prove to be strong sellers, with the gap down to Club growing.  Recently an ’04-plated Sportive, having covered in excess of 150,000 miles with plenty of scars managed an impressive £1,500 at auction.  Scruffy looking higher mileage Vauxhall Combos have little luck attracting buyers, and others with low engine power fall further down the buyers’ wanted list.
• Currently, only the best low mileage examples of Ford’s Connect are finding any sustained market support.  Those SWB examples with side loading doors are making less of a premium over standard examples at present although such features do help sell the van rather than adding any significant premium.
• Recently at auction some early year, high mileage VW Caddys commanded Guide Trade with ease whilst late-year examples are starting to see prices drift.  Although their performance is still first class, they are not immune from these troubled times. Caddy TDi is the preferred variant, but lately prices achieved for SDis at auction have been more encouraging.
  

Used panel vans

• From the smaller Ford Transit through to the VW Transporter and Mercedes-Benz Vito, and to a lesser degree Vauxhall Vivaro, sentiment remains positive despite suffering price fall over recent weeks.  Even older, higher mileage examples, providing they are clean, perform well at auction, which has helped to clear the decks.
• The VW Kombi and crew-cab examples of this style have excelled, particularly if they come highly specced with all the options.  With a number of manufacturers offering sporty versions, such dual-purpose vehicles are in high demand with the few returning to the open market proving popular.  Well-specified Vito Duraliner and VW Transporter window vans are two examples that enjoy phenomenal success.
• Older, prime stock is hard to come by and sells easily when supported with history and warranted miles, yet the marketplace is still inundated with poor vans, which in the current climate continue to under-perform.  Long and high variants still make most of the running with late-year models performing best.
• The big money is still reserved for the VW Crafter, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit, although here prices have slipped from previous highs.  Older Sprinters, LTs and Transits are still attracting the buyers and anything with optimum power, good trim levels and metallic paint is a real crowd pleaser.
• Late-year Renault Masters and Movanos still struggle to attract similar sentiment despite having a following that is growing.
• For older Citroen Relays and Fiat Ducatos the final outcome depends largely on the van being in first class condition with low warranted mileage if a reasonable return is to be delivered to the vendor.
  

Used heavyweights

• Across the country, both dealer and auction sites are struggling to sell many chassis.  On a brighter note, those vehicles with higher horsepower and especially any chassis with extra equipment, to include refuse vehicles, are strong performers.
• In a buyer’s market, when a host of 7.5-tonne trucks are on offer there is always the risk that prices will bomb.  However, across several auctions a similar picture has emerged where the best chassis perform strongly while those in a lesser condition sell for significantly lower figures.
• Such a vast array of 7.5 tonners has the buyer being selective in regards to horsepower and body length.  Tippers, good dropsiders and skip loaders stand out at this weight, particularly later models.
• Recently, fewer 18-tonne chassis have come up for grabs, yet those that do appear are in demand, as was seen for a CF65.220 hookloader on 2003 ’03-plate that made £13,250.
• 18-tonne platforms with cranes or other specialist equipment continue to attract big cash and, with even fewer three-axle rigids about, similar sentiment makes for bumper prices on clean used stock such as boxes and curtainsiders.  Although perhaps not so pronounced, there are still too few tidy multi-axle tippers and hook loaders available to meet demand, with those boasting low usage being snapped up at high prices.
• Whether at auction or in a dealer’s yard, premium tractor units aged less than three years excel.  Slightly older units are now experiencing price drops far greater than in previous months and, for some less popular models over six years old, prices can find themselves in freefall.  This is particularly the case for poorly presented low-powered artics which have clocked up too many kilometres.
• The importance that condition and marque plays in respect to the final price achieved is clear to see, and where too many fleet vehicles are disposed of at the same time, price is the first victim.