A downturn in the number of used light commercial vehicles (LCVs) on the market could have an impact on small businesses across the UK, it has been claimed.

According to British Car Auctions' Used LCV Market Report 2012, the downturn in used van numbers has come as a result of the dual impact of fewer new van registrations in recent years, as well as fleets holding on to vehicles for longer.

Professor Peter Cooke, a key member of the team which wrote the report, commented: "Small businesses as a group are the largest buyers of used vans and typically prefer vehicles up to five years old. However, availability is falling because of lower new van sales since 2008."

As a result, the report argued that cheaper used vans are likely to become harder to come by over the coming months across the UK.

The news follows an announcement this month by the government that it is to extend its Plug-In Car grant, enabling businesses to continue to invest in electric vans at discounted rates.

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Posted by Sarah Godfrey