Fleet managers are saving money by holding on to nearly-new vans, according to Manheim Auctions. Resale prices of 'late and low' LCVs have tumbled with some models dropping in value by more than £1,500 at auction.

But clean two-to-four-year-old vans are reaching record price levels.

Manheim's advice to fleet managers is to hold on to nearly-new vans and maximise on the residual value of the vehicles.

Alex Wright, Manheim group commercial vehicle manager, said: "In many instances, discounting of new models has reduced the differential between new and nearly-new vans to just hundreds of pounds as dealerships have fought back against the importation of cheaper vehicles from abroad.

"Many professional buyers have had their fingers burned as nearly-new vans they had bought at auction lost much of their relative value before they had sold them on."