Van sales update: what the latest SMMT figures say

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Published: 20 Mar 2026 | Last reviewed: 20 Mar 2026 | Reviewed by: VanCompare Editorial Team

Older headlines celebrated “record” van months back in 2016. The more useful question now is: what’s happening in the market today — and what does that mean if you’re buying, renewing, or running a fleet?

2025 UK LCV market overview

• The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations fell 10.3% in 2025 to 315,422 units (vans, pickups, and 4x4s).
• Fleet renewal shrank in every month except December, which saw a modest rise.
• Battery-electric van registrations hit a record annual volume in 2025, though EVs remain a minority of total LCV registrations.

Monthly snapshots

• November 2025: 23,570 new LCV registrations, a 22.2% decline year-on-year, affecting all van sizes.
• January 2026: 17,562 new LCV registrations, down 7.8% year-on-year — the weakest start to a year since 2012.

What’s driving the market changes?

SMMT commentary links the 2025 decline to a challenging economic environment and weaker business confidence, which affected fleet investment. Even so, the EV segment continues to grow, reflecting wider electrification trends.

Buying a van: why “best-seller” lists aren’t enough

Popularity can help create a shortlist, but the right choice usually comes down to operational needs:

• Payload and gross weight (including racking, passengers, tools)
• Load length and height (ensuring doors close properly)
• Route type (urban stop-start vs motorway)
• Powertrain fit (diesel, hybrid, or electric if charging suits daily routes)
• Downtime planning (service intervals, tyre/brake wear, replacement vehicle options)

A quieter market, as in late 2025, can affect availability, lead times, and discounting. Always price the van you need to do the job, not just the one you can get fastest.

Insurance reminder

Whatever the market is doing, your insurance must match how the van is used. If you change van type or weight, fit racking or security upgrades, or alter usage patterns, check whether your insurer needs updates on the policy.

Sources

1. SMMT — Van market shrinks in 2025 despite EV growth (315,422 registrations; -10.3%; EV commentary)
2. SMMT — New van registrations decline in November 2025 (23,570; -22.2%; segment impact)
3. BVRLA — Vans dip while new car market grows in January 2026 (17,562; -7.8%; weakest start since 2012)

VanCompare Editorial Team

The VanCompare Editorial Team produces clear, practical guidance on UK van insurance and related topics. We work with FCA authorised insurance providers and use insurer information where relevant to explain cover in plain English and help drivers make informed decisions.

• Where relevant, our content is checked against publicly available UK guidance and information from sources such as the FCA and GOV.UK to help keep it accurate and up to date.
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