AS a whole new breed of 4x4 trucks hits British shores this year, the secondhand market is expanding too.

Many more models are flooding on to the market now and, used van specialist CAP notes, specification and condition are the key to success.

In the February edition of the Red Book guide to commercial vehicle values, a spokesman said: ‘Late-plate examples are under pressure from the incentives and discounts available on new deals.’

Mitsubishi L200 Warrior and Animal with leather trim are proving popular, along with Nissan Navara and Isuzu Rodeo.

However, the spokesman said: ‘L200 4Life without air-con and Ford Ranger often see wide fluctuations in value from sale to sale. Volume has an impact and clean examples with air-con and metallic paint are the best performers.’

Over at Glass’s, experts are seeing the Nissan Primastar proving popular now it is more readily available, with strong prices being paid for the 100bhp model. With the Renault Trafic and Vauxhall Vivaro, buyers become cautious when presented with a high mileage example, particularly those with the basic 1.9-litre engine.

The Volkswagen T5 Transporter is another highly sought-after van that regularly attracts impressive bids from dealers, according to Glass’s. Unfortunately its success is having an adverse effect on the older T4 with any hard-used van struggling.

All well-presented Mercedes-Benz Vito CDI models with sensible warranted mileage are fought over by trade buyers. Late-year Sprinters are suffering, with the best performers being the smaller 208/211CDI models. With the nicest Sprinters destined for Mercedes-Benz’s own Signature programme, many of the 311/313CDIs appearing on the market are burdened with either high mileages or run-of-the-mill condition. Buyers are unwilling to pay more than indicated Glass’s Guide disposal values.

At auction, Ford Transit T260 and T280 are performing well, with the best sentiment reserved for those examples supported by sound history. Dealers also consider any T350 boasting bucket loads of power to represent prime forecourt stock.