Top 10 bestselling, most popular vans and pickups 2020

These are the bestselling, most popular vans and pickups in the UK according to the latest official sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). And the latest figures show that October 2020 was the biggest on record for van sales, with a 13.3% increase over October 2019.

A substantial 28,753 vans were sold last month, with growth in demand being driven by a pre-Christmas buying rush as firms gear-up for an anticipated increase in demand during the festive period.

But with the second coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown starting in England on 5 November, the SMMT now believes it is impossible for the van market to recover the sales it lost during the previous lockdown period, and will therefore end 2020 down overall compared with 2019.

The difference is currently -24.1% - which works out at around 75,000 fewer van sales this year compared with last year.

We've updated our 2020 bestselling vans top 10 with all the latest figures, and you'll also find the top 10 bestselling vans for all of 2018 and 2019 below as well. This is helpful because it means you can see which vans make the most sense to other businesses, which means they may also make the most sense for you.

More guides on Parkers Vans and Pickups:

• > Best electric vans
• > Best vans for towing
• > Everything you need to know about electric vans
• > Van and pickup taxation explained
• > Van and pickup speed limits explained

Top 10 bestselling vans and pickups October 2020

10) Citroen Relay (922 sold)

Not a van that regularly appears in the UK top 10 bestsellers list, the Relay is one of the oldest large vans on sale. But this works in its favour when it comes to payload, as it is also among the very best if your looking for maximum weight carrying capacity. Its latest 2.2-litre engines are fuel efficient, too.

>> Read our main Citroen Relay review

>> Find a Citroen Relay for sale near you

>> Get an insurance quote on a Citroen Relay via mustard.co.uk

9) Citroen Berlingo (1,034 sold)

The latest Citroen Berlingo joins its cousins the Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo in raising the bar in the small van sector, winning the Parkers Small Van of the Year in 2021 and 2020. We love the high-tech safety features, which include an optional overload sensor, and the great driving experience. It's got a massive payload rating for a small van, too.

>> Read our main Citroen Berlingo review

>> Find a Citroen Berlingo for sale near you

>> Get an insurance quote on a Citroen Berlingo via mustard.co.uk

8) Volkswagen Crafter (1,208 sold)

Winner of the Parkers large Van of the Year award two years running, the VW Crafter is an outstanding large van - easy to drive and blessed with an ultra-practical cab environment. While it's not the cheapest option it still delivers great value for money, the engines are efficient in the real world and reliability is strong.

>> Read the full Volkswagen Crafter review

>> Find a Volkswagen Crafter for sale near you

>> Get an insurance quote on a VW Crafter via mustard.co.uk

7) Peugeot Boxer (1,328 sold)

Peugeot’s rival to the Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter is one of the oldest large vans on the market, but its appealing combination of fuel efficient engines (updated again in 2019), high payload capacity and tempting pricing means it rarely struggles to find buyers.

>> Read the full Peugeot Boxer review

>> Find a Peugeot Boxer for sale near you

>> Get an insurance quote on a Peugeot Boxer via mustard.co.uk

6) Vauxhall Combo Cargo (1,633 sold)

The Vauxhall Combo is based on the same platform as the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner, and is a joint winner of the 2020 and 2021 Parkers Small Van of the Year award. Payload ratings and fuel economy are great, and there is some useful technology on the options list – including a built-in overload sensor.

>> Read the full Vauxhall Combo Cargo review

>> Find a Vauxhall Combo for sale near you

>> Get an insurance quote on a Vauxhall Combo Cargo via mustard.co.uk

5) Volkswagen Transporter (1,899 sold)

The Transporter is a popular medium van choice with one of the widest model ranges on the market – so whether you want a basic working van or a posh lifestyle wagon, Volkswagen’s got you covered. The new 6.1 facelift version brings an even better driving experience and the latest technology, plus there's finally an electric version, too.

>> Read our main VW Transporter review

>> Find a VW Transporter for sale near you

>> Get an insurance quote on a VW Transporter via mustard.co.uk

4) Vauxhall Vivaro (1,923 sold)

The latest Vivaro is still proudly built in Britain to a very high standard, even though the firm is now owned by the French PSA Group. Cousin to the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace, this version is a little down on overall load volume but can carry vast amounts of payload, offers great fuel economy and comes as an electric Vivaro-e.

>> Read our main Vauxhall Vivaro review

>> Find a Vauxhall Vivaro for sale near you

>> Get an insurance quote on a Vauxhall Vivaro via mustard.co.uk

3) Ford Transit (2,135 sold)

The Ford Transit is consistently one of the UK's most popular large vans, and has been for decades. The latest version (updated in 2019) 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.

>> Read our main Ford Transit review

>> Find a Ford Transit for sale near you

>> Get an insurance quote on a Ford Transit via mustard.co.uk

2) Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2,475 sold)

The Sprinter continues to set incredible standards, and remains the large van all others should be measured against, especially given the cutting-edge technology that's now included on-board. Popular particularly among the online delivery industry, it has excellent reliability and aftercare, too. New engines are on the way soon.

>> Read our main Mercedes-Benz Sprinter review

>> Find a Mercedes Sprinter for sale near you

>> Get an insurance quote on a Mercedes Sprinter via mustard.co.uk

1) Ford Transit Custom (3,775 sold)

The UK's bestselling van since it was launched, and winner of the 2021 Parkers Van of the Year award, the Ford Transit Custom is an exceptional all-rounder. It has plenty of load capacity, is good to drive, and owners seem to love them. New Trail and Active lifestyle models further boost a range that already included a plug-in hybrid. 

>> Read our main Ford Transit Custom review

>> Find a Ford Transit Custom for sale near you

>> Get an insurance quote on a Ford Transit Custom via mustard.co.uk

October 2020 van and pickup market report

October 2020 saw 28,753 new vans hit the road. That's 13.3% more than the 25,373 vans sold in October 2019, and makes it - as we've already mentioned - the best October for van sales on record.

All areas of the van market saw growth except pickups and 4x4s, which the SMMT believes is partly down to problems in the agriculture sector. Leading area of growth is large vans - driven by the construction sector and Christmas delivery planning, according to the SMMT - though small and medium vans are up, too.

Year-to-date, 2020 still remains 24.1% down compared with 2019, and the SMMT now believes a full recovery is impossible.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes commented: 'With a second nationwide lockdown ahead, future performance is difficult to gauge. Industries such as construction and logistics will keep the country moving as they did earlier in the year, but continued uncertainty and closures across retail and hospitality will have an effect on all businesses, and consequently commercial vehicle demand.'

He continued: 'Now more than ever, industry needs the assurance of a tariff-free deal with the EU to ensure production and delivery of these essential vehicles continues with no interruption in the difficult months ahead.'

>> New vans coming soon

>> New pickups coming soon

Bestselling vans and pickups of 2020 so far

This list shows you the top 10 bestselling vans and pickups throughout all of 2020 as it progresses, rather than just the most recent month.

Bestselling vans and pickups of 2019

This is the top 10 list of the bestselling vans (and pickups) of 2019 in total.

Bestselling vans and pickups of 2018

This is the top 10 list of the bestselling vans (and pickups) in all of 2018.

Also read:

>> Best large vans 2020

>> Best medium vans 2020

>> Best small vans 2020