Most popular vans and pickups - the UK's bestselling vans of 2024

Want to know which are the UK’s best selling large vans? Curious about how electric vans are selling? These are the top 10 most popular vans in the UK in March 2024, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

More new vans and pickups were registered in March than in any other month since 2019. A total of some 52,916 new vans, pickups and 4x4s reached UK roads, growth of 11% on the same month in 2023. The industry also posted its best Q1 performance in the last three years, registrations now just 7.7% down on pre-pandemic levels. By contrast, the new car market is down 30%.

Large vans of 2.5t to 3.5t continue to take the lion’s share of sales, with 35,592 being registered in March, an increase of 16.1% over the same month in 2023. But that’s not the biggest area of growth in the market. Registrations of 4x4s rose by 29.1%, while small vans under two tons saw growth of 44.8% – though that sector remains the smallest in absolute terms, with just 986 registrations in March.

Diesel remains the most popular engine choice by a very long chalk, though more electric vans were registered in March than in any other month on record – 2,906 in all. That’s an increase of 14.7% on the numbers in March 2023, but it’s still only 5.5% of overall market. Across the whole of 2024 so far, electric vans account for just 5.2% of registrations, which could be a real problem for manufacturers trying to meet the Government’s zero-emission sales mandate.

What the industry says

SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, said: ‘A strong new plate month with the greatest number of zero emission vans joining UK roads is a bellwether of the sector’s progress, cutting emissions while keeping British businesses on the move.

‘Industry is ready to deliver further, but with green uptake still below mandated levels, swift action is needed to give new van buyers the confidence to go electric. Rapid delivery of van-suitable public charging points and removing the hurdle of taxation on their use are key to greener fleets and a greener future.’

Below, you’ll see the UK’s top 10 most popular vans in March 2024, in reverse order. You’ll also find full year data for the years 2018 to 2023, 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 March 2024

10. Renault Trafic (3,032 sold)

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The Renault Trafic has 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, with the Ford Transit Custom and VW Transporter to name but two, but it has plenty in its favour.

Find a Renault Trafic for sale near you

9. Ford Transit Connect (3,218 sold)

The Ford Transit Connect is the first of four models from the brand in the best selling vans top 10, underlining its popularity with van and pickup buyers. The Connect will soon be replaced by a new version based on the Volkswagen Caddy, but there is still much to recommend it.

Find a Ford Transit Connect for sale near you

8. Toyota Hilux (3,708 sold)

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One of the best-known pickups, the Toyota Hilux has been respected as a tough and durable workhorse since 1968. It’s also one of the best out there, being a former Parkers Pickup of the Year award winner. While the Hilux isn’t the cheapest model on the market, a comfortable ride, versatile set-up, and substantial increase in safety equipment make this pickup an appealing proposition. That there’s up to 10 years warranty available doesn’t hurt either.

Find a Toyota Hilux for sale near you

7. Citroen Berlingo (4,175 sold)

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The small Citroen Berlingo is a regular feature in the bestselling vans list, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a small van that’s practical, great to drive, has an excellent cabin and represents good value for money. There’s a strong electric model in the range too.

Find a Citroen Berlingo for sale near you

6. Volkswagen Transporter (4,519 sold)

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The Volkswagen Transporter’s appeal is down to the wide range of models on offer. Coupled to a strong choice of engines, this is one medium-sized van that has something for everyone. Plenty of safety systems and a respectable level of comfort help the Transporter hold its value well too. It’s no longer available to order new, though, as a new VW Transporter is on its way later in 2024. If you want one, you’ll have to buy a vehicle from stock. Going by its continued presence in the top 10 there are plenty left.

Find a Volkswagen Transporter for sale near you

5. Mercedes Sprinter (4,649 sold)

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The Mercedes Sprinter continues to set incredible standards that make it one of the best large vans you can buy. The cutting-edge on-board technology that’s now included only adds to its appeal. Popular particularly in the delivery industry, it has exceptional reliability and the Mercedes eSprinter electric van has a good driving range compared with rivals.

Find a Mercedes Sprinter for sale near you

4. Vauxhall Vivaro (4,762 sold)

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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 vast amounts of payload, offers great fuel economy and is now also available in Vivaro Electric form.

Find a Vauxhall Vivaro for sale near you

3. Ford Ranger (5,106 sold)

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The all-new Ford Ranger has picked up where the previous version left off, as one of the UK’s most popular pickup trucks. 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

2. Ford Transit (8,600 sold)

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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 (12,076 sold)

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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 2023

This table shows the bestselling vans and pickup for all of 2023:

Bestselling vans and pickups of 2022

This table shows the bestselling vans and pickup for all of 2022:

Bestselling vans and pickups of 2021

This table shows the most popular vans and pickups for all of 2021:

Bestselling vans and pickups of 2020

The most popular vans and pickups of 2020 in a table.

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 most popular vans (and pickups) in all of 2018.