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Best selling vans in the UK: diesel remains top choice in 2024
Electric van demand was at a standstill in 2024 despite overall market growth. But which models sold the most?...
The number of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) sold in the UK in 2024 was up by 3% compared with the previous year, but the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that registrations of new electric vans remains sluggish, accounting for just 6.3% of registrations – the same as 2023.
The small van market saw the most overall growth, with 8,606 models leaving showrooms last year compared with 5,955 in 2023, thanks to the arrival of several new models. Demand grew in both medium and large van classes, too, with large vans continuing to be popular among buyers and representing 66.3% of the market.
Meanwhile, pick-up sales were down 8.3% on the previous year, with even more decline expected in 2025 due to new government plans to tax double-cab pick-ups as cars for the purposes of capital allowances and benefit-in-kind (BIK) from April.
Despite more electric models launching, their market share remained stagnant, and diesel engines continued to be the top choice for buyers, accounting for more than 90% of registrations in 2024.
But which vans attracted the most buyers last year? Below, we count down the top 10 best-selling models in the UK.
Strengths
- Easy to drive
- Flexible diesel engine
- Plenty of interior storage
Weaknesses
- Slightly less load space than the previous version
- No physical climate controls
- Squared-off steering wheel takes getting used to
There’s a lot to like about the Ford Transit Custom, and we like it so much we named it our 2025 Medium Van of the Year. Not only is it superbly versatile, offering diesel, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fully electric options, it’s also great to drive, practical and offers unmatched refinement.
Where the Transit Custom truly stands out, though, is its load space. With a maximum payload weight of up to 1459kg, it outperforms most other vans in its class, and there’s also the option to make access even easier with a second sliding door on most models.
If you opt for the entry-level Transit Custom, you’ll get plenty of standard kit for your money, including lane-keeping, traffic-sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree rear view camera.
2024 sales 46,967
Read our full Ford Transit Custom review
Strengths
- Great to drive
- Huge range of body, engine and weight options
- Modern interior with good infotainment centre
Weaknesses
- Base trim very sparsely equipped
- Expensive list prices
- Not all models driveable on a car licence
The Ford Transit has been a staple on British roads since its arrival in 1965, although nowadays the Transit name is used across several models, including the Transit Custom, Transit Connect, Transit Courier, and two all-electric models. But that doesn’t mean the original isn’t still just as good.
While its payload capacity isn’t class leading, the Transit makes up for it with excellent driveability – its responsive steering and surprising agility give it an almost car-like feel. It’s also exceedingly versatile, with a huge range of body, engine and weight options, so whatever you need, there’s probably a version for you.
2024 sales 31,322
Read our full Ford Transit review
Strengths
- Big cargo bay with a high payload capacity
- Space for four six-footers in Double Cab versions
- Good to drive for a pick-up
Weaknesses
- Not the cheapest pick-up
- Warranty could be better
Ford scores a hat-trick on this list, with the third best-selling LCV going to the Ranger. We’re huge fans of the Ford Ranger – in fact it’s the best all-round pick-up truck we’ve ever tested, and the reigning Best Pick-up Truck winner from our 2025 Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards.
The Ranger strikes the perfect balance between comfort and practicality. It’s great to drive, thanks to good visibility and surprising agility, and while it shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Amarok, the Ranger trumps it with its variety of body styles, allowing you to prioritise interior or load space depending on your needs.
2024 sales 19,695
Strengths
- Huge range of body styles
- High-tech but user friendly infotainment
- Improved fuel economy with front-wheel drive vans
Weaknesses
- Not the cheapest van to buy or run
- Aggressive safety systems
True to its name, the Mercedes Sprinter was long-considered one of the punchiest vans you could buy, though, now in its third generation, it has started to trail behind some of its large van rivals. Despite that, its interior is particularly strong, thanks to some dramatic improvements in connectivity and usability.
Our favourite engine is the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which delivers pretty perky performance. If you’re looking for an electrified alternative, there’s also the Mercedes eSprinter, which has some impressive real-world range.
2024 sales 18,753
Read our full Mercedes Sprinter review
Strengths
- Can carry more weight than rivals
- Drives and rides well
- Useful equipment and tech fitted as standard
Weaknesses
- Offset driving position can be a literal pain
- Load volume falls short of others
- Only one roof height
The Vauxhall Vivaro is based on the same underpinnings as its Stellantis siblings the Citroën Dispatch and Peugeot Expert, but it proved the most popular out of those three, and was the fifth best-selling van of 2024.
Practicality is a particular strong suit, thanks to its maximum payload of 1458kg, which puts it among some of the most impressive medium vans. And, like its Stellantis siblings, there’s also a fully electric version available, which can officially manage up to 205 miles on a single charge – ideal for town-based businesses.
2024 sales 18,581
Read our full Vauxhall Vivaro review
Strengths
- Huge choice of variants
- Modern safety aids and infotainment tech
- Punchy and frugal 2.0 TDI 150 diesel
Weaknesses
- Basic entry-level model
- Firm ride compared with some rivals
- Top-end versions start to become very pricey
There’s a version of the Volkswagen Transporter for everyone, thanks to a huge choice of variants, and it’s particularly popular among private buyers and small businesses because of its high resale values and decent running costs.
Our favourite engine is the 2.0 TDI 150 diesel, which puts out a respectable 148bhp, but if you’re in search of more performance, there’s also a sporty version inspired by the VW Golf GTI, with a punchy output of 201bhp.
2024 sales 15,425
Strengths
- Choice of engines to suit most needs
- Greatly improved safety systems
- Quiet interior
Weaknesses
- More interior storage needed
- Slow-witted infotainment system
Those in search of a van to own rather than lease will appreciate the Renault Trafic’s low price, generous equipment and healthy choice of engines. It also comes nicely equipped with some great safety systems, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance.
Beyond that, the Trafic is comfortable to drive and quiet even at high speeds, although there isn’t quite as much storage space on offer as other rivals, and its infotainment system leaves a lot to be desired.
2024 sales 14,857
Read our full Renault Trafic review
Strengths
- Fine car-like handling and comfort
- Load volumes are impressive
- Payload limits are class-leading
Weaknesses
- Only one side door on shorter Standard models
- No high roof option limits load heights
- Warranty limited to three years
Technically, the Peugeot Partner is practically identical to the Citroën Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo, and its modern interior isn’t the only thing that sets it apart – it was also the best-selling model of the three in 2024.
The Partner owes its popularity to its impressive payload capacity, which is excellent even on entry-level versions, and the fact that it handles almost like a small hatchback, with similar steering responses and body roll. There are two choices of diesel engine, offering 100bhp or 128bhp, and the lower-powered model should be punchy enough for most buyers.
2024 sales 12,828
Read our full Peugeot Partner review
Strengths
- Car-based chassis provides fine handling and ride
- Load volume is, in some cases, class-leading
- Optional rugged worksite package adds flexibility
Weaknesses
- Interior is rather staid with lots of hard plastics
- No high roof option limits flexibility
- Entry-level Prime model is basic
Like the Peugeot Partner, the Vauxhall Combo shares its underpinnings with passenger cars, which means it benefits from some impressive handling and a smooth ride. It’s also exceedingly practical, with class-leading cargo capacity and excellent payload limits.
While there are only two 1.5-litre diesel engines to choose from, both offer lively power outputs. The 99bhp option is nippy around town, while the 129bhp engine delivers a nice bump in performance for regular motorway users. If diesel isn’t your thing, there’s also a Vauxhall Combo Electric model available.
2024 sales 12,584
Read our full Vauxhall Combo Cargo review
Strengths
- Advanced Comfort seats are comfy and supportive
- Drives and handles well
- Class-leading payload and load volume limits
Weaknesses
- Only one side door on shorter M models
- Lack of high roof option limits load heights
- Warranty limited to three years
Not only is it exceedingly versatile, thanks to its excellent practicality and agile handling, but the Berlingo is also super comfortable, even with lower-spec trims. Like its Stellantis stablemates, it’s based on road cars, so it’s good to drive with responsive steering and unintrusive body roll.
Inside, the entry-level Enterprise model is quite utilitarian when it comes to standard kit, but if you opt for the higher trim levels, you’ll get a few more goodies, including a two-person bench seat that partly folds to create a table or worktop.
2024 sales 12,229
Read our full Citroën Berlingo review
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