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If you’ve been looking for a “nearly new” van lately, you might have noticed it’s a bit like looking for a quiet table at a motorway service station during a bank holiday—it’s crowded, stressful, and everything seems a bit more expensive than it should be.
According to the latest data, used LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) prices have taken a surprising leap, even as the number of available vans increases. Usually, when there’s more of something, the price goes down. But in the world of used vans, the rules are being rewritten.
The “Naughty Step” of 2021-2022
The reason for this price hike is a bit of a hangover from a few years ago. During the post-pandemic semiconductor shortage, very few new vans were actually built.
Fast forward to today: those “missing” 2021 and 2022 vans are the ones that should be hitting the used market right now as three-year-old bargains. Instead, there’s a massive supply gap in that “sweet spot” age range. This has sent the prices of the high-quality used stock that does exist through the roof.
How This Affects Your Fleet (and Your Wallet)
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The “Nearly New” Premium: You might find yourself paying significantly more for a 3-year-old van than you would have expected two years ago.
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Bidding Wars: Quality stock is flying off the forecourts faster than a courier on a Friday afternoon.
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The Long-Term Trap: Keeping older vans for longer to avoid high used prices can lead to higher maintenance costs and more “unscheduled pit stops” (breakdowns).
How Trucksmith Helps You Break the Cycle
When the used market gets weird, the smart move is to look at Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). At Trucksmith, we don’t just build bodies; we build competitive advantages.
1. The Payload Power-Up 🏋️
If you have to pay a premium for a vehicle, you need that vehicle to work harder. Our LoLoader® and LeccyLoader® conversions offer industry-leading payloads. If one Trucksmith van can carry what it takes the competition two vans to move, your “expensive” purchase suddenly becomes a bargain.
2. New Might Be the New “Used” 🆕
With used prices creeping closer to new prices, the gap has never been smaller. When you factor in the fuel efficiency of a brand-new chassis, a full manufacturer warranty, and a bespoke Trucksmith body, the math often favors going new.
3. Zero Excuses Longevity 🛠️
Our bodies are built to last. By investing in a Trucksmith conversion now, you aren’t just buying a van for today—you’re securing a high-residual-value asset for when you eventually decide to sell it into that hungry used market yourself!
Stop fighting over the scraps in the used market. Talk to our team today about a new build that actually delivers on its promise.
