The value of light commercial vehicles (LCV) soared for a third month in succession last month, reaching a new high point according to BCA's latest Pulse report. April saw average LCV values of £4,998, the highest on record for any month since the Pulse report began in 2005. Sales values increased by 2.8 per cent compared to March, while average mileage declined by almost 4,000 miles over the course of the month. Impressive levels of demand within the vehicle remarketing sector have played a significant part in the increase of corporate LCV stock and older part-exchange vans. Duncan Ward of BCA, said: "April has continued the pattern seen over recent months with demand virtually across the board from smaller car-sized vans up to large long-wheel base panel vans. "Condition and presentation remain important, and high mileage may discourage some bidders, but overall average values and conversion rates remain very strong. "The auction halls have been very busy across the BCA network, while the number of buyers participating via BCA Live Online continues to rise. "In the current market, the limited supply and levels of demand in the remarketing sector have seen prices rise for corporate stock and older dealer part-exchange vans. "Anecdotal evidence from a number of sources suggests retail used van activity remains slow, yet the wholesale remarketing sector is relatively strong. LCV values have been universally strong throughout the first third of this year and are significantly higher than the same period last year." Values within the fleet and lease LCV sector also improved in April, increasing by £264 (4.4 per cent) to an average of £6,171 _ the first time average monthly corporate LCV values had been above £6,000. Although performance against CAP fell by nearly two points to 100.9 per cent, it retained value against manufacturer recommended prices, improving from 35.43 per cent in March to 37.17 per cent in April.
