Both firms say it is time to ditch the attitude that “it’s only a van”, so pre-sale preparation is unnecessary.
BCA says the average cost of damage on vans it inspects has risen by 18% year-on-year to £808 with some damage costing more than £2000 to repair. It claims the trend cannot be put down entirely to contract extensions.
Duncan Ward, BCA’s CV boss, says: “Far too many vehicles are entering the remarketing chain with high levels of damage, which reduces their desirability and value to used buyers even when supply is restricted.
“We are seeing a widening two-tier market where scarce good condition vans are becoming more sought after while damaged vehicles run the risk of being overlooked.”
Manheim says that while leasing vendors expect money back on their stock, the price must reflect the condition of the vans.
“Reconditioning is not only about monetary uplift, it can also be about getting a bid in the first place,” says Manheim’s CV chief James Davis.
Both firms agree that managers need to instill a determination to “stop the first dent”.
Ward asserts: “If a driver gets in a van and it barely has a straight panel on it less care will be taken of that vehicle.”
