Used van prices rose 5.5% between December and January, the first monthly increase since September, but year-on-year figures showed a 22.3% fall, according to Manheim.
The average sale price last month was £2676, up £140 on December 2008, although the average in January 2008 was £3443.
Despite the price fall, average age was two months lower at 52 months, and average mileage down 3217 to 63,348.
“With vendors being more realistic when setting reserves, trade buyers and ‘end user’ buyers are responding and values have consequently increased,” said Manheim’s CV sales director Alex Wright. “During January there was clear evidence that many dealers were buying for stock rather than just fulfilling orders.”
