If you operate a courier service business then it is quite possible that you will make your deliveries using a van. If you have had your existing vehicle for quite a few years then you may be considering changing it. If that is the case then one of the decisions you will need to make is whether to invest in a new light commercial vehicle (LCV) or a second hand one.

Such a decision is often down to your financial situation. After all, many courier drivers would love to be able to purchase a brand new van but regrettably this is not always possible.

However, if you are considering buying a new van here in the UK then you may find it of interest to read that the number of new vans registered here in the UK in January 2026 actually fell when compared with the same month last year. According to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) the number of new vans sold in the UK in January 2026 amounted to 17,562 compared to 19,050 in the same month in 2025. That is a drop of 7.8%.

Breaking the figures down into various categories of new van there were 1,206 pickups sold in January of this year compared to 2,807 in January last year – a drop of 57%. There were 711 new 4 x 4s sold compared to 531 – a rise of 33.9%. There were 402 new vans sold in the under 2 tonnes category compared to 668 – a fall of 39.8%. There were 2,547 new vans sold in the 2 to 2.5 tonnes category compared to 3,507 – a drop of 27.4%. There were 12,696 new vans sold in the 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes category compared to 11,537 – a rise of 10.05%.

The top 5 selling new vans in January 2026 were: –

1. Ford Transit Custom 2,740
2. Vauxhall Vivaro 1,374
3. Volkswagen Transporter 1,108
4. Renault Trafic 795
5. Nissan Primastar 763

If you are thinking of buying a new van then, who knows, now may be a good time to find yourself a bargain. Presumably, those businesses selling new vans in the UK will be keen to improve sales.

If you are considering changing your van whether it is for a new or used one why not contact us to obtain a competitive, no-obligation courier insurance quotation. We provide access to a panel of comprehensive, reputable courier insurance companies.