However, there is no need for panic. The market differs little from the situation 12 months ago and all the signs are that September will prove to be strong and lead the year into a successful conclusion.

Vehicles that are being hit hardest by choosy buyers are those with high mileage.

However, specific vehicles that are in short supply are still commanding high prices. For example, there are very few Royal Mail vehicles available to buy at present and therefore, those that do come into the halls are commanding up to £400 over book price.

The three-year market also remains relatively strong and the niche models, such as Transit tippers, are doing extremely well, with S plates achieving anything up to £4,500.

The Transit Connect remains in short supply, commanding strong prices and the Citreon Berlingo HDi with side doors, if three years old and under 60,000, is also doing extremely well.

As a rule, smaller vans with side loading doors are proving extremely popular – side doors can add up to £400 per vehicle and all chassis cab derived vehicles, in particular Iveco Lutons, are achieving an impressive £1,500–£2,000 above book.

One-year-old 4x4 pick-ups are struggling, while their older siblings, those at the three-year old mark, are doing well, primarily because of the limited difference between the price of new and one-year-old vehicles due to manufacturer discounts and the strength of the used market.

Sample prices

Year=Make/model=Mileage=Sale Price 2001 Y Ford Transit new 2.0TDi (100PS) 132,513 £4,350
2001 Y Ford Transit new 2.0TDi (100PS) 100,384 £5,100
2001 Y Ford Transit new 2.0TDi (75PS) 41,560 £6,550
2002 52 Ford Transit new 2.0TDi (75PS) 22,597 £7,450
2002 52 Ford Transit new 2.0TDi (75PS) 50,423 £7,100
2002 52 Ford Transit new 2.0TDi (75PS) 29,284 £7,400
2000 X Citroen Berlingo 1.9D, blue 37,738 £2,600
2002 52 Citroen Berlingo 1.9D, white 76,450 £3,100
2002 02 Citroen Berlingo 1.9D, white 68,381 £3,000
2002 02 Citroen Berlingo 1.9D, Fridge conv 29,868 £4,800
2003 52 Nissan Navara 2.5TD, C/Cab 27,333 £11,000
2001 51 Nissan Cabstar 2.7TD E10’ alloy tipper 44,745 £7,100
2000 W Nissan Cabstar 2.5D old dropside 57,800 £4,500
1999 V VW Transporter 1.9TD, 1000 SWB 84,373 £3,900
1999 V VW Transporter 1.9TD, 1000 SWB 49,879 £4,700
2000 V VW Transporter 1.9TD, 1000 SWB 68,533 £4,425

By Alex Wright, FIMI Commercial Vehicle Sales Director, Manheim Auctions