The used van market has had a strong start to 2025, says Manheim Auction Service.
There has been an uplift across sold volumes, with a 21% increase in volumes YoY, average sold price increasing by £554 between February and March with 22% of stock selling above guide price, and positivity with days to sell and first-time conversions.
Matthew Davock, director of Commercial Vehicles at Manheim UK, said: “These trends are largely driven by fleet and rental operators who have reduced the average age of fleet assets.
“While competition for prime stock continues to heat up, the lower-cost vehicles offer a viable option for tradespeople looking to reduce their expenditure during tough economic conditions.
“Overall, this reflects a robust quarter for the used van marketplace, with the industry now in a much better place in terms of price, demand and overall supply.”
The average age and mileage of used vans are also showing signs of improvement in Q1. Sold used vans averaged 71 months (6 years) in age and 79,822 miles on average.
Only 15.4% of stock fell into the prime category (under 3 years old and 60,000 miles). The remaining 84.6% averaged 113,718 miles.
Prime stock remains competitive due to limited availability, performing 6.8% above guide value prices. However, demand for older vehicles is sustained due to its lower average price point (£5,625).
There was a 62.6% increase in electric van arrivals across Manheim’s UK sites. These vehicles carry an average mileage of 29,000 miles at around 3 years. Buyer confidence held performance back with 88% of guide values achieved and only four in 10 vans selling first time.
Davock said: “The used electric van sector, much like its consumer vehicle counterpart, still faces significant roadblocks to improving confidence.
“With much higher stock levels being defleeted across the industry, and over 2500 used electric vans being advised on retail publications today, more must be done to incentivise adoption and promote the consumer benefits of electric van ownership.”
