LCV values remained at near record levels in February 2022, with average values staying above £10,000 for the third consecutive month.
Following on from the record value of £10,812 seen in January, February maintained the consistent run of strong values seen throughout recent months, averaging £10,441 – the second highest monthly value ever recorded. Values averaged 101.2% of guide price across the board during February.
Year-on-year values for February 2022 were ahead by £1,015 (10.8%) compared to February 2021 when the country remained in lockdown.
With demand continuing for good quality light commercial stock, BCA staged its first online Sunday LCV Sale in early February, attracting hundreds of buyers and selling nearly every vehicle on offer. BCA’s commercial vehicle auctions offer up to 700 vehicles each day and attract up to 2,000 different buyers each week.
Despite this outwardly strong performance, it is apparent that the external pressures affecting the wider economy are starting to be felt in the LCV sector. Demand remains robust for vehicles in the best condition, although professional buyers are much less enthusiastic about vehicles with cosmetic or mechanical issues, and these vehicles are becoming very price sensitive.
Stuart Pearson, BCA COO UK commented “External economic factors are increasingly having a greater effect on the wider used LCV marketplace, which is largely driven by the needs of the small business and independent trader sectors. These businesses will undoubtedly have been under pressure throughout the pandemic and are now having to deal with rising interest rates, increased energy and fuel costs and the widespread cost-of-living squeeze.”
“While an LCV is a necessary tool of the trade for many small businesses, we have seen demand from professional buyers hot-up for vehicles in the best condition which is pushing up values for the best prepared, higher grade vehicles, but creating pressure on lower grade, older, higher mileage vehicles that need cosmetic or mechanical refurbishment before sale.”
“This is a good time to remind sellers that the remarketing basics remain as important as they ever were. Where appropriate, mechanical and cosmetic repairs will add value and improve first time conversion, while the right level of preparation, an accurate appraisal, accurate descriptions and transparency around vehicle provenance will all contribute towards achieving optimum value and speed of sale.”
BCA’s commercial vehicle auctions offer up to 700 vehicles each day and attract up to 2,000 different buyers each week.
(* Source: BCA Valuations)
*Article Source www.bca.co.uk
