Used LCV values hold steady in May, finds BCA

Demand for used light commercial vehicles (LCVs) remained strong in May, with values holding steady and showing stability compared to earlier in the year, according to the latest data from BCA.

LCV values at BCA averaged £7,972 last month, reflecting a marginal drop of just £18 over April and remaining close to levels seen a year ago. After declines throughout 2024 and the early months of 2025, values have now stabilised, with sold LCVs averaging just under £8,000 in the first five months of this year.

Sales volumes remained robust, with over 9,000 LCVs sold during May. Strong sale conversions were driven by highly competitive bidding, particularly for well-presented vehicles.

Notably, used LCVs have consistently outperformed guide price expectations this year, with May’s sales averaging 101.5% of the guide price. This strong performance in the used sector contrasts with new LCV sales, which the SMMT reported fell by 11.8% in May, marking the sixth consecutive monthly decline.

BCA customers report continued strong retail demand for LCVs, though sourcing high-quality stock remains challenging. The wholesale market is highly competitive, especially for lower mileage vehicles in excellent condition. Many retailers are maintaining lower forecourt inventories and diversifying their product offerings to address these supply gaps.

Stuart Pearson, BCA COO UK, commenting, said: “Buyer customers remain hungry for stock, and we continue to refine our online sales programme to meet their needs. We hold our LCV online sales programme across seven days a week because that is what our customers want. The choices that the programme brings allows them, no matter what their size, to balance their purchasing requirements with the day-to-day needs of running their businesses.”

“Once again, any notion of when prime time is for selling a commercial vehicle has shifted significantly, with some of the most competitive sales activity, conversion and values achieved being seen across our weekend LCV sales.”

He noted the value of quality stock, saying: “The best results continue to be achieved by those sellers who take a pragmatic approach to investing in the right level of preparation, supported by the data that validates the decisions being made.”