BCA recorded unseasonably strong demand in the used light van market during August, traditionally a month that sees lower values.

Average values for fleet & lease, dealer part-exchange and nearly-new vans all rose, and for the first time all three sectors achieved over 100% of CAP values.

According to BCA’s Pulse report, average used LCV values across the board improved in August by £179 (5%) to £3,745 – the highest point since April 2008.

Year-on-year values were ahead by over £500.

Duncan Ward, BCA’s general manager commercial sales, said: “August proved to be a remarkably strong month for LCV sales and certainly outperformed the customary ‘summer holiday season’ market.

"With supplies of good retail quality vans relatively limited, there was strong competiton for the best examples – particularly in the fleet sector where competition intensified.

"A number of corporate vendors recorded 100% sales conversions for the first time, and many sales averaged over 100% of CAP across the board.

“"Professional buyers who would usually buy stock exclusively from corporate sources were having to look further afield and were bidding on younger or older vehicles to stock their forecourts.”