WANTED: Vans With Average Mileage

“Not too hot, not too cold...just right.”

That’s the big idea in the story ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” And apparently, it’s the big idea driving the recent drop in sales of used vans.

According to George Alexander, Chief Commercial Vehicle editor at Glass’s Guide, used van dealers are reporting a drop in sales and expect the trend to continue over the the next number of months.

And the reason is because of mileage.

“Used buyers have again become fussy about mileage and think that lower mileage carries too great a price premium while higher mileage brings too many problems,” said Alexander.

In particular, buyers of used vans consider vehicles with 40,000 to 50,000 miles to be the best purchase, rather than lower mileage models.

Also, larger panel vans have risen in demand, especially as good quality vehicles are in scarce supply, and attracting high bids at auction. Vauxhall Vivaros sales continue, albeit mediocrely. And Scudo, Dispatch and Expert vans have sold well at auction with end users being especially keen to obtain clean and tidy acquisitions.

Alexander adds: “While almost every older 3.5 tonne van offered at auction is tatty, even high mileage examples of Sprinters in particular and most Transits seem to sell effortlessly. However, Ducato, Boxer and Movano heavy vans with high mileage struggle to convince buyers that they have similar durability.

So if you’ve got an old van within the 40,000 to 50,000 mileage ‘sweet spot’, now might be the time to consider putting it on the market.