Used LCVs averaged £4,500 across the board in March, a fall of £85 (1.8%) compared to February's figure. Despite this, fleet/lease values rose marginally by £19 to reach £5,126 – a new record value. Nearly new values increased by £371 to £10,036, a rise of 3.8% – although volumes were very low in the month. Part-Exchange values fell by £176 from £2,819 to £2,643, equivalent to a fall of 6.2%.

Over the quarter, van prices averaged £4,507, a significant increase of £593 (15.15%) compared to the figure of £3,914 recorded in Q409. With Q109 values averaging just £3,182, year-on-year values were ahead by £1,325, equivalent to a 41.6% increase over the year.

Reflecting the strong price performance, CAP figures remained strong in March, moving from 101.67% across the board to 102.28%. All major sectors – fleet & lease (101.66%), nearly-new (104.33%) and dealer part-exchange (105.28%) – recorded average CAP prices in excess of 100%.

Within the Fleet & Lease sector, average values continued to climb, with March recording a small rise of just £19 over February's figures. Values have risen for eight out of the last nine months. BCA says that it is the highest average monthly value ever recorded for fleet and lease vans by the company and only the second time on record that average values for fleet & lease vans have exceeded £5,000.

BCA's Duncan Ward commented: 'The used LCV market has seen an exceptionally strong start to 2010. Values are significantly ahead of those recorded in 2009, and if demand stays at current levels we would expect prices to remain firm going forward.'