THE 3.5T panel vans market is already showing signs of hotting up prior to the anticipated growth in online retail sales this Christmas. according to Shoreham Vehicle Auctions (SVA).
Following two recent 80% conversion sales, any make or model of 3.5 tonne used van has been selling quickly and for solid prices with buyers hoping to get stock under their belt prior to companies increasing delivery capacities in the run up to Christmas.
Tim Spencer, SVA’s commercial vehicle sales manager, said: “The three-year-old market continues to be extremely buoyant.
“Everything of that age is being snapped up and there remains a shortage of stock in the market. More used stock coming into the market during September will be most welcome to help feed hungry buyers. There should also be a better stock mix available in September,” he added.
In 2016, online retail sales in the UK totalled £133bn, which was a 16% rise on 2015, and the market expects this to continue to grow, with the majority of retailers relying on the trusty 3.5 tonne panel van to deliver goods bought online to consumers.
The nearly-new sector has also seen a recovery with some 66-plate ex-rental stock being sold for strong prices, a sector which has proved tougher in previous weeks. At the other end of the scale, some VW Caddy, VW Transporter and Citroen Berlingo vans entered by a national charity with high mileages on the clock beat book by some margin.
Based on strong service histories and the vans being offered for sale in good condition, two 62-plate Transporters with 122,000 and 142,000 miles respectively sold for £5,600 and £5,500. This represented a combined £2,000 above book. The old adage of look after your vans and they will look after you was particularly relevant with these results.
With the used market already performing well in September, SVA is expecting to see another buoyant market with prices likely to only temper slightly, with the additional part-exchanges reaching auction based on the new 67-plate change.
