Used caravan values come under pressure as demand weakens

The latest market analysis from Glass’s indicates that stocks of both new and used caravans are much higher than at this point last year and, with demand slackening, prices are increasingly expected to come under pressure.

“The used caravan season stalled significantly after a moderate start to the year, not helped by the sharp burst of winter weather from mid-February to mid-March,” explains Randal Thomas, Editor of Glass’s Guide to Caravan Values. “Although the market has now picked up considerably, current sales activity suffers by comparison with the particularly good results achieved last year.”

Coming off several seasons of strong sales when supply did not keep pace with market requirements, production of all types of caravans has now been pushed towards record levels. At the same time it is apparent that demand has tapered off sharply. “The peak selling period for used caravans has now arrived and, provided spring gives way to a warm and dry summer and economic conditions do not deteriorate further, this will present the best opportunity to retail out of any overstock situation.

“However, there remains a considerable degree of uncertainty within the trade over how well balanced the supply of new and used touring caravans will be around the middle of this year. While there is by no means a glut of used tourers, there is certainly little evidence of the shortage seen in 2003 and 2004,” concludes Thomas.