Floors Magazine Floors Magazine June / July 2014 | Page 9
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To Spec or not to Spec that van
Leading vehicle remarketing
expert, British Car Auctions (BCA)
is offering the thousands of small
enterprises that use vans some
useful advice on what to consider
when buying their next vehicle. As
Duncan Ward, General Manager,
Commercial Vehicle Sales at BCA
explains, informed decisions at the
start of the process could be crucial
in maximising resale values when it
comes time to sell.
“A van is a working tool, so getting
the right specification for the job is a
given. But, equally, getting the right
added extras will make any van more
attractive to used buyers a few years
down the line when it is time to sell.”
said Duncan Ward. “The auction
buyer will seek out the best vehicle
they can buy with the budget they’ve
got – and if a van with two side
loading doors, a bulkhead and aircon
is on offer that will be the one they
bid for, if all the other vans available
are basic models.
“Generally a better specification
will make a van more desirable and
saleable with higher-spec vehicles
often selling more quickly, improving
cash-flow for the seller. The key is,
knowing which features are worth
paying for when it comes to resale
value.”
Interior ply-lining is one of the best
value extras for any van buyer. It’s
expected by buyers and, importantly,
it protects valuable company vehicles
from ‘inside-out’ damage that is likely
to occur day-to-day. Value-wise
ply-lining might add £100, but the
real benefit is that the van is much
more likely to be in a more saleable
condition after three or four years’
hard work.
Side-loading doors are another key
consideration for buyers. And these
are just as essential for smaller vans
as they are for the larger one tonne
and 3.5 tonne vehicles. BCA believes
that, at the very least a van should
include a single nearside sliding door,
but two side-loading doors will be
particularly appealing for businesses
whose drivers are going to work in
tight, urban conditions. Potential
value in the used market can
increase by around £150 for a single
and £250 for two side-loading doors,
depending on the vehicle.
Factory-fitted satnav does not,
however, make a huge difference to
the selling price because most mobile
and smart phones now offer this
facility. Similarly, in-van entertainment
and blue-tooth connectivity may
only add a marginal increase of £50
at resale. Parking sensors for the
3.5 tonne market where low-speed
reversing damage is more common
might also add £50.
Still inside the cab, air-conditioning
is highly valued when combined
with a bulkhead, otherwise all that
cool air dissipates into the load area
and simply burns money. Similarly,
if a van is being used for start-stop
urban deliveries air-conditioning is
considered wasteful, because the
driver will be in and out of the cab
and not getting the benefit. However,
air-con is appealing for vans that do
longer distances or where the vehicle
doubles as the family transport at the
weekends for a tradesperson.
“As confidence improves in the UK
economy, many small businesses
will be investing in their company
transport and looking to get the best
value for money.” added Duncan
Ward. “This may mean spending a bit
more up front to get the best resale
value down the line.”
For more information
T: 0844 875 3480
www.bca.co.uk
Floors Magazine
09
June/July 2014