Vans are a popular choice for individual or corporate use when transporting goods. They make up a significant portion of all vehicle use in the UK, and they legally require third-party insurance to cover any damage to other parties in an accident. We’ve collected all the latest facts about van use in the UK right here.
Official statistics show that almost 4.5 million vans were registered in the UK at the end of 2022. This number has increased significantly in the last decade, up 37% from around 3.3 million vans in 2012.
Data shows that there were more than 340,000 van registrations in 2023, up 21% year-on-year. There was also a record number of electric vans (BEVs) registered in 2023, at more than 20,000, also up by 21% from the previous year.
It also looks as though vans are lasting longer on the roads than they have previously. The average age of a light commercial vehicle (LCV) is at an all-time high of 8.9 years, compared to 7.7 in 2012 – a 15.6% increase in 10 years.
The Ford Transit Custom was the most popular van in the UK in 2023, selling more than 40,000 units. This model was followed by the standard Ford Transit, which sold over 28,000 units. The Vauxhall Vivaro came in third place, selling just over 20,000 units.
| Van type | Number of LCVs sold |
|---|---|
| Ford Transit Custom | 40865 |
| Ford Transit | 28280 |
| Vauxhall Vivaro | 20477 |
| Ford Ranger | 18679 |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 17487 |
| Renault Trafic | 16041 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 15799 |
| Citroen Berlingo | 14065 |
| Toyota Hilux | 10888 |
| Ford Transit Connect | 10856 |
Matt Mckenna
UK Head of Communications
T: +44 20 8191 8806
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