BCA ’ s Light Commercial Vans ( LCV ) operations director Duncan Ward said : “ The LCV market so far in 2016 has generally been confident with average values up significantly from those recorded last year , as high levels of demand continue . “ This has largely been driven by the construction and civil engineering industries , as well as the courier and online delivery sectors . But despite this confidence , it ’ s important for businesses to recognise that there are some key factors when buying that will have an influence when they come to sell . “ A van is a working tool , so getting the right specification for the job is a given . But , equally , getting the right added extras will make any van more attractive to used buyers a few years down the line when it is time to sell because generally a better specification will make a van more desirable and saleable with higher-spec vehicles often selling more quickly , improving cash-flow for the seller .” He said the auction buyer would seek out the best vehicle they could buy with the budget they had . So if a van with two side loading doors , a bulkhead and aircon is on offer that will be the one they bid for , if all the other vans available are basic models . Interior ply-lining is one of the best value extras for any van buyer . It ’ s expected by buyers and , importantly , it protects valuable company vehicles from ‘ inside-out ’ damage that is likely to occur day-to-day . Value-wise ply-lining might add £ 100 , but the real benefit is that the van is much more likely to be in a more saleable condition after three or four years ’ hard work . Side-loading doors are another key consideration for buyers . And these are just as essential for smaller vans as they are for the larger one tonne and 3.5 tonne vehicles . BCA believes that , at the very least a van should include a single nearside sliding door , but two side-loading doors will be particularly appealing for businesses whose drivers are going to work in tight , urban conditions . Potential value in the used market can increase by around £ 150 for a single and £ 250 for two side-loading doors , depending on the vehicle .

Factory-fitted satnav does not , however , make a huge difference to the selling price because most mobile and smart phones now offer this facility . Similarly , in-van entertainment and blue-tooth connectivity may only add a marginal increase of £ 50 at resale . Parking sensors for the 3.5 tonne market where low-speed reversing damage is more common might also add £ 50 . Still inside the cab , air-conditioning is highly valued when combined with a bulkhead , otherwise all that cool air dissipates into the load area and simply burns money . Similarly , if a van is being used for start-stop urban deliveries air-conditioning is considered wasteful , because the driver will be in and out of the cab and not getting the benefit . However , aircon is appealing for vans that do longer distances or where the vehicle doubles as the family transport at the weekends for a tradesperson . “ We are currently seeing increasing volumes of same make , base specification stock in the market ,” concluded Duncan Ward . “ So any business that has something to offer that is a better than the standard should do well when it comes to selling .”

bca . co . uk

Not having an interior ply-lining could lose you £ 100

Potential value in the used market can increase by around £ 150 for a single and £ 250 for two sideloading doors

Air-conditioning is highly valued when combined with a bulkhead