May represented a small landmark month for van registrations but not in a good way. May 2025 represented the sixth consecutive month where registrations fell compared to the previous year with demand dropping across the market. Here are the top 10 most popular vans in the UK in 2025 for this month and so far, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Light commercial vehicle sales as a whole took an 11.8% year-on-year dip versus May 2024, with sales reaching just 22,796 versus the 25,853 of the same month last year. Every sector saw a dip apart from 4x4s, which is the smallest of them all anyway.
Concerningly for manufacturers, the biggest drop came in the large-van sector, which fell by 14.0%, dropping from 17,042 sales in May 2024 to just 14,652 this year. Small and medium vans both dropped to, by 9.2% and 7.8%, which is notable even if they account for a smaller section of the market.
The double-cab pickup truck market is seemingly now seeing the impact of tax changes that took effect in April, with numbers down 12.7%. And some of those may well have been orders placed before the new laws came in, so the next few months could be a trying time for truck makers.
The only real good-news story came around electric van sales, which continue to rise. May saw another big increase, by 50.0% but this still only leaves the market share at 8.2%. This remains some way short of the government’s zero emission vehicles mandate that is at 16% for 2025. More work will be needed if goals are to be met.
What the industry says
SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, said: ‘Six months of declining new van demand reflects a tough economic environment and weak business confidence – and that won’t be helped by punitive taxes such as on double-cabs that will only restrict wider growth.
Fleet renewal with the latest, cleanest models must be encouraged so it’s positive that zero emission van uptake is rising, but with market share at just half the mandated level, it’s clear we need action to drive that uptake faster. Accelerating LCV-centric and affordable chargepoint rollout is the bold next step that van operators and manufacturers need now.’
Below, you’ll see the UK’s top 10 most popular vans in May 2025, in reverse order. You’ll also find full year data for the years 2018 to 2024, so you can see what the most popular vans and pickups were in those years.
All this is useful because it means you can see which vans make the most sense to other businesses, so they may also make the most sense for you. What’s more, it gives you an idea of the most available used vans of a particular age.
Top 10 bestselling vans and pickups May 2025
10. Renault Trafic (646 sold)
The Renault Trafic last had a major update in 2022, with loads of new safety features and a new look helping to keep it fresh and maintaining its appeal. The medium-sized van has some strong contenders in its class, though, with the Ford Transit Custom and VW Transporter to name but two, but it has plenty in its favour. A new E-Tech electric version has since joined the range, matching its major rivals in that sense.
Find a Renault Trafic for sale near you
9. Vauxhall Vivaro (653 sold)
The latest Vauxhall Vivaro is still proudly built in Britain, even though Vauxhall is now part of the massive Stellantis group of companies. Cousin to the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace, it can carry generous amounts of payload, offers great fuel economy and is now also available in Vivaro Electric form.
Find a Vauxhall Vivaro for sale near you
8. Volkswagen Crafter (664 sold)
The Volkswagen Crafter is a multiple former Parkers Award winner and a big favourite with us. It has a well-thought-out cabin, is great to drive and has a strong set of engines. It is much more modern than some of its large-van rivals, too, with some excellent tech on offer.
It was updated in 2025 but most of the changes are internal and relate to the infotainment – the fundamental van remains as before. It’s a shame that it won’t come with an electric version until the all-new model arrives but it is proving popular with buyers nonetheless.
Find a Volkswagen Crafter for sale near you
7. Citroen Berlingo (688 sold)
The small Citroen Berlingo is a regular feature in the best-seller list, and it is easy to see why. This van is practical, good to drive, has an excellent cabin and represents good value for money. There is a strong electric model in the range too.
The challenge it has is tempting buyers away from the practically identical Peugeot, Fiat, Toyota and Vauxhall equivalents. As the top-10 list often shows, it doesn’t always succeed as they often feature too.
Find a Citroen Berlingo for sale near you
6. Ford Ranger (1,003 sold)
The latest Ford Ranger is regularly the UK’s most popular pickup trucks and often the only vehicle of its type in the top 10 bestsellers list. It has moved the game on significantly from its predecessor, being excellent to drive, comfortable and well equipped inside, and offering a wide range of practicality. There are loads of versions to choose from, too, including the outrageous Ford Ranger Raptor.
Find a Ford Ranger for sale near you
5. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (1,064 sold)
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a fantastic and popular large van that crops up regularly in the best-selling list. It is a regular in the most reliable vans list as well, and is one of the most technologically advanced and versatile vehicles in its class.
It’s available with a vast number of different versions, including an electric model with the largest battery in its class.
Find a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for sale near you
4. Toyota Hilux (1,096 sold)
One of the best-known pickups, the Toyota Hilux has been respected as a tough and durable workhorse since 1968. As things stand, it is one of the best out there, too, as it is a previous holder of the Parkers Pickup of the Year award. While the Hilux isn’t the cheapest model on the market, a comfortable ride, versatile set-up, and a substantial increase in safety equipment make this pickup an appealing consideration. The fact there’s up to 10 years warranty available doesn’t hurt either.
Find a Toyota Hilux for sale near you
3. Peugeot Partner (1,216 sold)
The Peugeot Partner is one of five nigh identical vans, sharing much with equivalents at Citroen, Vauxhall, Toyota and Fiat, many of which crop up in the top 10 list from time to time. However, the Partner is the only one to have something that sets it apart from the others – a smaller steering wheel as part of a setup dubbed the i-Cockpit. This will suit some better than others, but the rest of the van is otherwise the same as the rest of the quintet – practical, good to drive and boasting a strong electric version.
Find a Peugeot Partner for sale near you
2. Ford Transit (2,449 sold)
The Ford Transit is the household name for vans in the UK. This latest version has increased payload, upgraded engines, a revised interior and even more technology. It remains easy to drive, comfortable, and there are plenty of specialist dealers around to keep you on the road. It’s also setting new standards for electric vans, with the Ford E-Transit the best out there by a country mile.
Find a Ford Transit for sale near you
1. Ford Transit Custom (3,365 sold)
The new Ford Transit Custom only went on sale in late 2023 but it’s very much business as usual for the brand’s sales team as it takes up where the old one left off at the top of the charts. This all-new model is a notable improvement over all of its rivals and its predecessor, which made it our 2024 Parkers Commercial Vehicle of the Year.
Find a Ford Transit Custom for sale near you
Bestselling vans and pickups of 2024
This table shows the bestselling vans and pickups for all of 2024:
| Sales position | Model | Number sold | Parkers review link |
| 1 | Ford Transit Custom | 46,967 | Ford Transit Custom review |
| 2 | Ford Transit | 31,322 | Ford Transit review |
| 3 | Ford Ranger | 19,695 | Ford Ranger review |
| 4 | Mercedes Sprinter | 18,753 | Mercedes Sprinter review |
| 5 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 18,581 | Vauxhall Vivaro review |
| 6 | VW Transporter | 15,425 | VW Transporter review |
| 7 | Renault Trafic | 15,799 | Renault Trafic review |
| 8 | Peugeot Partner | 12,828 | Peugeot Partner review |
| 9 | Vauxhall Combo | 12,584 | Vauxhall Combo review |
| 10 | Citroen Berlingo | 12,229 | Citroen Berlingo review |
Bestselling vans and pickups of 2023
This table shows the bestselling vans and pickup for all of 2023:
| Sales position | Model | Number sold | Parkers review link |
| 1 | Ford Transit Custom | 40,865 | Ford Transit Custom review |
| 2 | Ford Transit | 28,280 | Ford Transit review |
| 3 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 20,477 | Vauxhall Vivaro review |
| 4 | Ford Ranger | 18,679 | Ford Ranger review |
| 5 | VW Transporter | 17,487 | VW Transporter review |
| 6 | Renault Trafic | 16,041 | Renault Trafic review |
| 7 | Mercedes Sprinter | 15,799 | Mercedes Sprinter review |
| 8 | Citroen Berlingo | 14,065 | Citroen Berlingo review |
| 9 | Toyota Hilux | 10,888 | Toyota Hilux review |
| 10 | Ford Transit Connect | 10,856 | Ford Transit Connect review |
Bestselling vans and pickups of 2022
This table shows the bestselling vans and pickup for all of 2022:
| Sales position | Model | Number sold | Parkers review link |
| 1 | Ford Transit Custom | 42,215 | Ford Transit Custom review |
| 2 | Ford Transit | 33,203 | Ford Transit review |
| 3 | Mercedes Sprinter | 17,034 | Mercedes Sprinter review |
| 4 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 16,830 | Vauxhall Vivaro review |
| 5 | Ford Ranger | 16,827 | Ford Ranger review |
| 6 | VW Transporter | 15,164 | VW Transporter review |
| 7 | Ford Transit Connect | 8,218 | Ford Transit Connect review |
| 8 | Peugeot Expert | 8,131 | Peugeot Expert review |
| 9 | Renault Trafic | 8,085 | Renault Trafic review |
| 10 | VW Crafter | 7,455 | VW Crafter review |
Bestselling vans and pickups of 2021
This table shows the most popular vans and pickups for all of 2021:
| Sales position | Model | Number sold | Parkers review link |
| 1 | Ford Transit Custom | 49,671 | Ford Transit Custom review |
| 2 | Ford Transit | 31,083 | Ford Transit review |
| 3 | Mercedes Sprinter | 20,862 | Mercedes Sprinter review |
| 4 | VW Transporter | 20,033 | VW Transporter review |
| 5 | Ford Ranger | 16,376 | Ford Ranger review |
| 6 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 16,004 | Vauxhall Vivaro review |
| 7 | Citroen Berlingo | 11,109 | Citroen Berlingo review |
| 8 | Ford Transit Connect | 11,001 | Ford Transit Connect review |
| 9 | Peugeot Partner | 10,553 | Peugeot Partner review |
| 10 | Vauxhall Combo | 9,886 | Vauxhall Combo review |
Bestselling vans and pickups of 2020
The most popular vans and pickups of 2020 in a table.
| Sales position | Model | Number sold | Parkers review link |
| 1 | Ford Transit Custom | 43,551 | Ford Transit Custom review |
| 2 | Mercedes Sprinter | 23,506 | Mercedes Sprinter review |
| 3 | Ford Transit | 21,724 | Ford Transit review |
| 4 | VW Transporter | 15,856 | VW Transporter review |
| 5 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 15,530 | Vauxhall Vivaro review |
| 6 | Ford Ranger | 13,097 | Ford Ranger review |
| 7 | Citroen Berlingo | 12,159 | Citroen Berlingo review |
| 8 | Ford Transit Connect | 11,344 | Ford Transit Connect review |
| 9 | Peugeot Partner | 11,174 | Peugeot Partner review |
| 10 | Vauxhall Combo | 11,118 | Vauxhall Combo review |
Bestselling vans and pickups of 2019
This is the top 10 list of the bestselling vans (and pickups) of 2019 in total.
| Sales position | Model | Number sold | Parkers review link |
| 1 | Ford Transit Custom | 52,512 | Ford Transit Custom review |
| 2 | Ford Transit | 26,237 | Ford Transit review |
| 3 | Mercedes Sprinter | 25,862 | Mercedes Sprinter review |
| 4 | VW Transporter | 19,608 | VW Transporter review |
| 5 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 18,029 | Vauxhall Vivaro review |
| 6 | Ford Ranger | 16,459 | Ford Ranger review |
| 7 | Ford Transit Connect | 15,477 | Ford Transit Connect review |
| 8 | Peugeot Partner | 14,605 | Peugeot Partner review |
| 9 | Citroen Berlingo | 13,492 | Citroen Berlingo review |
| 10 | Vauxhall Combo | 12,944 | Vauxhall Combo review |
Bestselling vans and pickups of 2018
This is the top 10 list of the most popular vans (and pickups) in all of 2018.
| Sales position | Model | Number sold | Parkers review link |
| 1 | Ford Transit Custom | 54,806 | Ford Transit Custom review |
| 2 | Ford Transit | 32,694 | Ford Transit review |
| 3 | VW Transporter | 21,763 | VW Transporter review |
| 4 | Mercedes Sprinter | 21,278 | Mercedes Sprinter review |
| 5 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 19,232 | Vauxhall Vivaro review |
| 6 | Ford Transit Connect | 17,495 | Ford Transit Connect review |
| 7 | Ford Ranger | 16,440 | Ford Ranger review |
| 8 | Peugeot Partner | 15,056 | Peugeot Partner review |
| 9 | Citroen Berlingo | 13,428 | Citroen Berlingo review |
| 10 | Peugeot Boxer | 11,731 | Peugeot Boxer review |
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