
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.
Read more about the latest Ford Transit here.
Ford Transit Connect
One of the best small commercial vans available, the Transit Connect marries really well with startups and smaller companies. It’s compact, but still very capable of meeting a fair few different needs and has a spacious interior with flexible seating arrangements and a range of smart technologies, including Ford Co-Pilot360, which enhances safety with features like lane-keeping assist and pre-collision assist.
Its powertrains are incredibly efficient and ensures that its emission output is kept low along with providing a more economical fuel consumption too! Finally, the Connect’s nimble handling and compact size make it ideal for urban environments, allowing for easy manoeuvrability and parking.
Read more about the latest Transit connect here.
Volkswagen Transporter 6.1
The Volkswagen Transporter 6.1 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).
Read more about the latest VW Transporter 6.1 here.
Volkswagen Caddy
As the Transit Connect is to the Transit, the Caddy is in some ways just the more compact version of the VW Transporter. It features a modern infotainment system with a touchscreen display, smartphone integration, and navigation, keeping drivers connected and informed.
The Caddy’s efficient engines deliver excellent fuel economy, while its advanced safety features, such as autonomous emergency braking and rear traffic alert, provide peace of mind. So long as your business isn’t in need of an enormous amount of cargo space then the Caddy is certainly a great option.
Read more about the latest VW Caddy here.
Volkswagen Crafter
On the opposite end to the size spectrum than the Caddy is the Crafter, a big spacious van which is perfect for transporting heavy items due to its much larger cargo space. It also has many of the innovative and exciting features offered by both the Transporter and the Caddy, including adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, and lane assist, enhancing safety and ease of use.
Finally, as is a common theme with these VW Vans, its efficient engines and comfortable cabin design ensure a smooth driving experience, even on long journeys.
Read more about the latest VW Crafter here.
Renault Master
The Renault Master stands out due to the impressive payload that it can carry. Alongside its huge cargo space though, it also offers features like advanced driver assistance systems such as blind-spot monitoring and rear parking sensors, enhancing safety.
With all of the cargo space it has and a large interior it is probably one of the best vans for businesses which need to move large amounts of equipment and resources between locations.
Read more about the latest Renault Master here.
Renault Kangoo
The Kangoo is Renault’s best small commercial van which is a lot more compact than the Master, although it still has many great and innovative features. Its interior is more practical than spacious though it does still come with plenty of storage options.
The Kangoo features efficient engines that provide excellent fuel economy, making it one of the best vans for small business operations. Its advanced safety features, such as electronic stability control and hill start assist, also make sure it is one of the safeset commercial vans you can be driving.
Read more about the latest Renault Kangoo here.
Citroen Dispatch
The Citroen Dispatch is designed for businesses that require a versatile and capable van. It offers a range of advanced features, including a head-up display, hands-free sliding doors, and (quite intuitively) a 3D navigation system. The Dispatch’s efficient engines and low emissions make it an environmentally friendly choice.
Its spacious cargo area and flexible seating arrangements make it one of the best vans for business use.
Read more about the latest Citroen Dispatch here.
Citroen Berlingo
The Citroen Berlingo is ideal for small businesses and sole enterprises, mainly due to its size. It features an advanced infotainment system with a touchscreen display, smartphone integration, and navigation.
The Berlingo’s efficient engines provide excellent fuel economy, while its advanced safety features, such as lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition, ensure a safe drive. Its flexible cargo area can be easily configured to suit various business needs. Explore more features.
Read more about the latest Citroen Berlingo here.
Peugeot Boxer
The Peugeot Boxer is a robust and spacious van that is perfect for businesses that require a high payload capacity. It offers a range of advanced features, including a rearview camera, parking sensors, and a touchscreen infotainment system.
The Boxer’s efficient engines and low operating costs make it a popular choice for the best van leasing options. Its comfortable cabin and ergonomic design ensure a pleasant driving experience. Explore more features.
Read more about the latest Peugeot Boxer here.
Peugeot Partner
The Peugeot Partner is a compact and versatile van that is ideal for small businesses. It features a modern infotainment system with a touchscreen display, smartphone integration, and navigation.
The Partner’s efficient engines provide excellent fuel economy, while its advanced safety features, such as automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist, ensure a safe drive. Its flexible cargo area can be easily configured to suit various business needs. Explore more features.
Read more about the latest Peugeot Partner here.
Lease One Of These Vans For Your Business With Yorkshire Fleet
If it’s the case that you’re now considering leasing one of these vans for your business, whether you need a compact and efficient van like the Renault Kangoo, a versatile and spacious vehicle like the Ford Transit, or any of the other excellent models listed, leasing them commercially with a partner like Yorkshire Fleet is going to be one of the best options available.
At Yorkshire Fleet, we pride ourselves on being the best van leasing company for businesses of all sizes. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you find the perfect lease options tailored to your specific needs. We offer a wide range of vans for business, ensuring that you can choose from the latest models and do everything we can to make sure you get the make and model of vehicle you want, every time!
Don’t hesitate to contact Yorkshire Fleet today to discuss your van leasing needs. Our team is ready to be your new partner in commercial van leasing!