Buyers at auction are paying the best prices for vehicles boasting an enhanced ‘retail-style’ specification – for example, metallic paint, uprated interior trim, in-van entertainment, air con with bulkhead and satnav.

Duncan Ward, BCA’s business development manager – commercial vehicles, commented: “With increasing numbers of small businessmen and women striking out on their own, many are prepared to invest that bit more to get the best specified commercial vehicle they can afford. 

“Professional buyers know this and there is always competitive bidding when a well-presented panel van is offered with metallic paint and lots of retail-style options. We particularly notice that online bidders target these vehicles and bid strongly.”

According to BCA, rare configurations are equally sought after and there is plenty of demand at the minute for mini-coaches, pick-ups – both single and double cab – while tipper and
dropside variants always do well.