The fall in used van values has been less significant than at first thought.

Manheim compared the sales values for the third quarter of this year with the same three-month period in 2007, 2006 and 2005.

The average selling price for a van was £2,888 this year, which was 8.7% lower than in the third quarter of 2005 and 8.7% lower than in Q3 2006.

However, in comparison with Q3 2007, which Manheim says was a record year, the average selling price was 21.6% lower.

Alex Wright, Manheim sales director, commercial vehicles, said: “Comparisons with a very strong 2007 should be treated with caution and that economic pressures, although significant, are not the only reason for the decline in average sale values experienced during this year.”