Values of used vans are expected to fall at a more pronounced level, according to experts at EurotaxGlass’s.

While a modest decline in values is to be expected during the summer months, there is also pressure in many sectors for values to move down towards more sustainable levels after a period when limited supply has kept prices high.

Chief commercial vehicle editor George Alexander said: “It was inevitable that inflated price levels on used stock would eventually need to fall in line. Rather than viewing this as a major setback, it would be better to reflect on just how resilient used price levels have proven over the past couple of years.

“Most dealers we speak to believe that as summer progresses, any turndown is likely to worsen. Despite the tempo slowing across the used marketplace, there are still enough buyers that are keen to snap up those rare examples of late-year car-derived vans offered with the right credentials.”

The situation is being complicated by manufacturers applying variable discounts according to the prevailing trading conditions, which have an immediate knock-on effect to late-year stock.

Mr Alexander added: “Manufacturers must remember that to make their wholelife cost propositions stack-up, they need to protect strong residual values for late-year stock.”

Meanwhile over at CAP, experts have found that integral sat-nav units are helping used vans to sell.

A spokesman said: “One clear trend identified in our research is the value of integral sat-nav units as an aid to retail sales.

“Last year dealers were evenly divided on the question of whether sat-nav adds value to a used van. This year it is clear that the value of sat-nav is much more widely accepted, with 71% of dealers reporting that it has become a valuable feature in the retail sales process.”