Used ‘new’ transit values continue to rise

According to the UK’s leading vehicle auction company, British Car Auctions (BCA), the commercial vehicle range from Ford continues to attract premium prices at auction. A recent sale staged at BCA Nottingham sold every van on offer with new Transit prices actually rising above the prices achieved when the first nearly new vehicles came onto the market last December.

BCA’s Duncan Ward commented, “Demand such as this is really unprecedented, but as many commercial vehicle dealers are short of quality used stock the competition between buyers is intense. Prices for ‘used’ new Transits are now around 5% higher than they were four months ago.”

“For companies running the latest Transit models, this is very good news as it suggests demand will keep values relatively high for well maintained examples in good condition. Interestingly, values for old shape Transits have also firmed.

“Buyers attending auction to buy Transits for their own business should be prepared to bid strongly, particularly if they want the desirable new shape vans.”

Ward added “An auction is one of the best places to source a van, all competitively priced, to suit a range of businesses. And whilst business owners might be apprehensive about the auction process – thinking it’s just for dealers and expert vehicle buyers - it doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. With a little knowledge you can get a great deal.”

BCA Top Tips on Buying a Van at Auction

Be Prepared

Be prepared by getting a sneak preview of what’s on offer by logging onto BCA’s free service commercialauctionview.com. If there is a specific type of van you are after, checking out Commercial View will help you locate what you want and will let you know when and where it is being auctioned. And on the morning of a sale, have a flick through the catalogue to see if anything takes your fancy. If you are not that sure about vans yourself, bring along someone more experienced.

Arrive in good time on the morning of the sale, especially if you are looking for a specific vehicle, as this will give you a chance to have a look at what is available. If possible, we recommend selecting a couple of ‘back-ups’. Then if you’re unlucky in bidding for your first vehicle, you still have a chance with your subsequent choices.

Sold as Seen

From a seller’s point of view, auctions provide an efficient and quick way to sell, and generally all commercial vehicles are ‘sold as seen’. This makes it even more important to give the van you are interested in a thorough inspection before the auction starts. Checking the overall visible condition is up to you, so look for damage on the panels and check the interior load-space, for example. All these factors are 'sold as seen', so take every opportunity to examine prior to entering the auction hall.


When the auction starts, vehicles are driven in lot order in front of the rostrum to be sold. This is your chance to listen to the engine running. Stand somewhere the auctioneer can clearly see you and bid by waving your catalogue to catch their eye. Then, once the auctioneer knows you are bidding, a simple nod is sufficient for each subsequent increment. Typically, bidding is made in £100 increments; however it is not uncommon for £200, £500 and £1,000 bids on high value vehicles.

Set a Limit

Setting a limit on what to spend is sensible. Bidding at an auction for the first time can be daunting, but at the same time addictively exciting. However, try not to get too caught up in the moment! Remember, you are there to buy your van for the best price possible.

Great deals available

If bidding doesn’t reach the reserve value set by the seller, the vehicle will be sold provisionally to the top bidder. The auctioneer then contacts the seller to see if they will accept the bid. More often than not, sellers still approve the sale, which means you could be getting a great deal on your next vehicle. And don’t forget that VAT at the current rate (currently 17.5%) is payable on top of the hammer price, unless stated by the auctioneer. Being a VAT-registered owner of the vehicle, this element is reclaimed by the taxman on top of the sale proceeds.