As values remain strong, stay smart to sell for the best price
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By David Hill
The light CV market has seen used values remain strong for some months now.
At mycarcheck.com/trade, we predict that this will continue for the first half of this year at least.
However, the one thing sure to kill high values is volume. As soon as we get a few vans all the same in the market, values will undoubtedly slip.
In today's market, vehicle specification is an increasingly important factor. Put simply, a good spec van is a lot easier to sell.
Extras such as air conditioning and power windows are almost mandatory on the shopping list for most new buyers.
In the used market, with mileages on your standard three-year-old van getting higher, a bit of spec can make all the difference to the retail man — especially these days where buyers seem willing to shop around just to save £100. The easiest way to ensure your used stock is desirable to the retail buyer is to The selling man: David Hitt knows a thing or two about getting a good price for used vans
buy vans renowned for having high levels of specification as standard. The Ford range is a good example.
Traders go mad for a Ford Transit Trend spec, or better still a Sport. These are produced in limited numbers by the manufacturer and, although the price difference when new is only about £750, a Trend or Limited model will make as much as £1,000 more on a three-yearold model.
The same goes for the Volkswagen Transporter. A few extras make all the difference, and the versatile T5 has a cult following — it is very popular as a camper conversion model.
These are always easy to sell, it's buying them that's the challenge.
You can bet a 140hp model with a DSG auto gearbox and a few extras won't be on your forecourt for long.
As we get to the business end of the market, long wheelbase vans have to be clean and tidy, but the emphasis on extras is further down the shopping list.
These are usually going to be pure workhorses, so things like air conditioning are nice to have but certainly not essential.