The used van market is creaking with ageing stock as a result of companies holding onto stock for longer after the recession.
New research from Manheim shows that for car derived vans, 43% of all car derived vans sold in Q1 2015 were over five years old compared to just 28% in 2010.
And their average age had grown to 99 months compared to 84 months.
But despite being older with higher mileages, vans are fetching higher prices because of vehicle shortages.
Successive years of poor new van sales after the recession means there were, until recently, fewer used vans up for sale.
In the first quarter of 2010, the average van was 54 months old and sold for £4,048 at auction.
Fast-forward five years and the average van was 66 months old and sold for £4,432, a 9.5% increase.
Manheim said the recession meant fleets and owner operators kept hold of their vehicle for longer.
This week the SMMT launched a campaign to encourage van owners to improve the way they looked after their vehicle. Most vans failed roadside safety tests, it said.
