The commercial van leasing market in the UK is experiencing significant growth, driven almost exclusively by the fact that many businesses are seeing the benefits of leasing over purchasing. According to a report by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), the UK’s commercially leased van market is expected to grow by around 8% in the rest of the year.
As mentioned, the continued growth here is largely due to the flexibility that commercial van leasing provides to companies in the UK. Instead of needing a large upfront capital outlay to purchase a vehicle outright, businesses can manage their cash flow more efficiently through fixed monthly payments. This model helps preserve working capital and allows businesses to allocate funds to other critical areas, such as expansion or new technology investments. Additionally, leasing agreements often include maintenance and servicing, reducing unexpected expenses and ensuring that the vehicles remain in top condition throughout the lease term.
And it’s not just the financial benefits presented to businesses through commercial leasing. Leasing a van also allows businesses to stay current with the latest models and technology. As the different manufactures of vans are continuously innovating, offering better safety features, more fuel efficient vehicles, and vehicle connectivity – leasing vans for businesses becomes an ideal way to upgrade fleets more frequently without huge financial pressure.
But, with the benefits of leasing vans for business being pretty clear, the question then arises of which models are the best commercial vans for companies to choose in the UK. Luckily, the team here at Yorkshire Fleet have taken the time to devise a pretty detailed list on exactly which kinds of vans businesses should be looking for when it comes to leasing.
How Does Commercial Van Leasing Work?
The process of leasing vans commercially is a relatively straightforward one and the best van leasing companies will always make sure that their approach is as hassle-free as possible. At the start of a leasing contract, the customer typically pays an initial rental fee, which is often equivalent to a few months’ lease payments. This upfront cost is followed by regular monthly payments over the agreed contract period, which can range from 2 to 4 years.
Throughout the lease term, the customer gets full use of the van in whatever capacity they need it for, just as though they had purchased it outright themselves. With fixed monthly payments the budgeting becomes simpler and easier to manage for a company, and many van leasing agreements also include maintenance and servicing packages, ensuring that the van remains in good condition and there are no unexpected repair costs that are a burden to the business.
At the end of the contract, the customer simply returns the van to the leasing provider. This eliminates the hassle of selling the vehicle and/or dealing with the depreciation of it. The customer then has the option to lease a new van from the best van leasing company, benefiting from the latest models and technology, or they can choose a different vehicle that better suits their evolving business needs.
Which Kinds Of Businesses Typically Lease Vans Or Fleets Of Vans?

Whilst there is an almost endless list of business types that may well choose to lease commercial vans, there are some which are more common than others. This list is by no means exhaustive, but if your businesses or organisation falls into one of these categories, then you’re probably already considering leasing vans, or you may even have done so in the past.
Plumbers & Electricians
Two of the most common trades in the UK, Plumbers & Electricians often require reliable and spacious vans to carry tools, equipment, and materials. Leasing allows them to access the best vans for small businesses without a hefty upfront investment, ensuring they always have a dependable vehicle to get to jobs and keep their customers happy.
Builders & Construction Companies
From small one man bands who help put up a garage at your home, to full construction companies which build whole housing developments, leasing vans allows these businesses the flexibility to scale their fleet according to project demands. Vans are essential for transporting tools, supplies, and personnel to various job sites, and leasing the best vans for their work is a priority.
Delivery & Logistics Companies
With the rise of e-commerce, delivery companies need efficient and reliable vans to handle the increasing volume of packages. Leasing vans for business enables these companies to maintain a modern fleet, enhancing their service reliability and customer satisfaction.
Cleaners & Property Maintenance
Companies offering cleaning and maintenance services to both homes and businesses need a way to get around and a way to bring all of their equipment with them. Making a van the ideal way to go. Leasing vans give them the ability to do exactly this, but without having to find tens of thousands to splash out on an outright purchase of one.
Councils & Local Authorities
Government bodies often lease vans to support various community services, such as waste collection, park maintenance, and public works. Leasing provides them with a cost-effective way to manage their fleet and ensure they are using up-to-date and efficient vehicles.
Removals Companies
Let’s face it, if your job involves moving pretty large items of furniture out of buildings, then you’re probably going to need a van. Leasing the van simply means that removals companies can easily expand their fleet during peak times without the financial burden of purchasing multiple vehicles outright.
The Best Vans To Lease For Your Business
Ford Transit
This is the model of van that nearly everyone has heard of before, and often finds its way to the top of any list describing the best vans for small businesses. It’s renowned for its versatility and robust performance, making it one of the best vans for work. It features a range of advanced technologies designed to enhance driving safety and efficiency, such as the FordPass Connect modem, which provides real-time traffic updates and vehicle health alerts.
As always, the latest model of Transit offers ample cargo space and various configurations to suit different business needs, from transporting goods to carrying passengers. Its fuel-efficient engines and low running costs make it an ideal choice for businesses looking for the best small commercial vans for their fleet.
Volkswagen Transporter
The Volkswagen Transporter is both versatile and reliable. It’s a well suited van for many various commercial uses. It comes with advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control and a rearview camera to enhance safety and ease of driving.
As with a lot of German automotive engineering it has incredibly robust builds and also offers a very spacious cargo area, making it one of the best vans for work purposes (especially if you have a lot of large machinery that needs to be transported).