Average wholesale used van prices increased by 4.1% (£150) in January compared with the previous month.

The latest market analysis from Manheim Auctions shows that compared with January 2009 average wholesale used van prices are actually up by 46.0% (£1,210) with average age up by two months to 55 months and average mileage 5,144 miles higher at 74,024.

Examples of the increases in average month-on-month values in January include car derived vans up by 13.5% (£319 to £2,678), small panel vans up by 5.6% (£223 to £4,224), large panel vans less than 3.0t up by 2.4% (£83 to £3,577), large panel vans greater than 3.0t up by 12.0% (£437 to £4,069) and 4x4s up by 4.7% (£303 to £6,731).

Examples of decreases in average values include boxes and Lutons which fell by 17.7% (£752 to £3,498). At 55 months, the average age in January was down by one month compared with December while average mileage was lower by 2,831 miles at 74,024.

Alex Wright, Manheim Auctions commercial vehicles sales director, said: "Although the bad weather did have an impact on sales early in January I am very encouraged by the way that market activity noticeably ramped up once the snow and ice had gone.

"Despite the economic environment, the used van marketplace has stayed robust and the outlook for 2010 remains very positive.

"While business confidence is slowly beginning to return, new commercial vehicle registrations are unlikely to recover before the plate change in September and it will be smaller vans that are expected to recover first. This will result in the continued shortage of supply which should keep used values high for the next six months."