The Euro IV emissions standard and the imminent arrival of Euro V have driven up new vehicle prices, but this has not dissuaded operators from ordering the latest-generation units.

Instead, long lead times, created by unprecedented growth in demand from Eastern European countries, and a sharp rise in the residual worth of quality, lower-emissions used trucks have encouraged businesses to take on the best vehicle for the job.

“With one eye on the future, fleet operators are increasingly planning ahead and taking account of changing legislation,” explains George Alexander, Chief Commercial Vehicle Editor at EurotaxGlass’s.  “It appears that most are prepared to order top-end product, with price not being the key consideration.

“The alternative, as seen with London’s Low Emission Zone, is to struggle to find the same Euro III chassis that a hundred other buyers are searching for.  This has resulted in high used values, which we expect to hold firm over the coming months.  Vehicles that fail to meet these emissions levels will become increasingly unpopular,” concludes Alexander.

George Alexander highlights other key trends in the used CV market:

Used lightweight vans

• Small vans offering sufficient power with a reasonable load capacity remain firm favourites with trade buyers.
• At the lower end, Ford’s Fiesta and Vauxhall’s Corsavan get most interest, while the lower load capabilities of Citroen’s C2 limits its attraction.
• A steady supply of former utility company Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Renault Kangoo vans means trade buyers can be choosy.  For many years these French vans have been crowd pleasers, representing good value-for-money, but even those credentials will not guarantee a good result at present.
• With plenty of Vauxhall’s Combo available on the open market, it is no surprise that those offered in white stand the best chance of performing well.  Late-year, low-mileage examples with a side-loading door, regularly achieve Guide Trade.
• Volkswagen’s Caddy is still setting a hot pace with Ford’s Transit Connect also proving to be a popular choice for many used buyers, although prices can be vulnerable when specification or condition are found wanting.  Few buyers care whether the Connect is badged L or LX, as long as it is nicely turned out.  The Ford’s Achilles heel is undoubtedly volume, with too many tatty and high-mileage examples from unfavoured sources consistently under-performing.
• Even at a time when supply levels are high, the best-looking vans with the lowest warranted miles continue to make big bucks.  Typically, most interest is generated by those examples with less than 30,000 miles boasting a sound pedigree.  Later designs are preferred but the downside for these young vans is the downward price pressure being exerted from discounted new models.  With no shortage of such vans at most auction sites, it has become commonplace to see slightly lower conversion rates.
• With the new plate having arrived on the first of the month, there will be another surge of vans taken in part-exchange to be absorbed into the wholesale market.  Nevertheless, auctions have been well attended over the past couple of months and, although prices have slipped back in response to higher volumes, there is still a good level of sales activity.
  

Used panel vans

• When offered with full service history and in clean condition, early examples of Nissan’s Vanette and LDV’s Cub still attract plenty of interest.  Used buyers rarely tire of the flexibility offered by the Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert and Citroen Dispatch, so price levels remain stable.
• Volkswagen Transporters and Merecdes-Benz Vitos continue to change hands for strong money that sees both models high on dealer shopping lists.
• Healthy demand for high-horsepower panel vans continues.  A low-mileage 06/06 LWB T30 Transporter Sportline 174PS sold for £16,000 at a recent auction, which also saw higher demand for the 104PS and 130PS models compared to the entry-level 85PS model, which performed poorly.  The Vito 109 falls into the same category, with buyers considering it to be underpowered.
• There is currently limited availability of the LDV Maxus SWB 95PS, with the best examples achieving Guide money.  Of late, fewer Toyota Hiaces have appeared on the open market as well, ensuring that the few that do, especially those in top condition with low miles, perform strongly.
• Similarly, Ford Transit T260 and T280 models, the Renault Trafic, Nissan Primastar and Vauxhall Vivaro all continue to perform well, with few of those offered remaining unsold for long.
• Limited stock means that most Transit 350s, particularly higher power models, are commanding impressive prices.  Even clean and tidy older 90PS example continue to attract a big following and, with demand outstripping supply, prices remain firm.
• At auction, clean Mercedes-Benz Sprinters rarely under-perform and will frequently notch up the best results of the day.  Later examples usually only receive dealer network exposure but the occasional lot seen at auction will hit dizzy heights that price them beyond the reach of many used buyers.  Even with well over 100,000 recorded miles, smartly presented lots will attract high levels of support.  The story is similar for Volkswagen’s comparable products.
• Late-year examples of Movano and Master are currently receiving pleasing market sentiment with used buyers deeming them to be a functional and reliable workhorse. Older models, however, do not receive the same respect and must be presented in A1 condition with warranted mileage, to avoid prices going into freefall.  Similarly it is only the best examples of the Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay up to three years old that attract a serious level of attention.
• 3.5-tonne chassis derivatives including boxes and lutons that have seen better days are quickly dismissed and sell at Guide Disposal money.  However, at all years, when clean stock is presented, prices can hit Top Guide.