The UK’s pick-up truck market has fallen by 57.4% since the government introduced changes to Benefit In Kind in April last year.
April 2026 vehicle registration figures from the SMMT show that full year pick-up truck sales are down nearly 60% year-on-year.
Latest figures from the SMMT show just 1,166 pick-ups were registered during the month, compared with 2,740 in April last year.
Year-to-date volumes are now down 55.3%, with only 6,917 pick-ups registered so far in 2026 versus 15,458 during the same period in 2025.
The sharp decline follows HMRC’s decision from April 2025 to treat most double-cab pick-ups as company cars for Benefit-in-Kind and capital allowance purposes, dramatically increasing tax bills for many users.
The continued collapse in demand comes despite the wider van market returning to growth in April, with total LCV registrations rising 6.8% to 21,716 units. Large vans drove the recovery, climbing 28.5% year-on-year.
Construction, utility and agricultural operators, traditionally some of the biggest pick-up buyers, have become increasingly cautious about replacing vehicles since the tax changes came into force.
Manufacturers are now scrambling to respond. Ford Ranger remains the UK’s dominant pick-up despite the downturn, while brands including Isuzu have introduced commercial-specification models aimed at maintaining van tax treatment eligibility.
Read our Isuzu D-Max Commercial review
At the same time, some operators appear to be shifting towards commercial 4x4 alternatives instead. Registrations in the 4x4 category surged 81.6% in April to 1,024 units, with vehicles such as the Land Rover Defender Commercial gaining traction.
Battery-electric van registrations also recovered strongly in April, rising 44.7% to 2,439 units, although electric vans still account for only 11.1% of the overall market — well below the ZEV Mandate target levels required in coming years.
| Model | April sales |
|---|---|
| Ford Transit Custom | 3,264 |
| Ford Transit | 1,792 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 1,208 |
| Ford Ranger | 1,008 |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 983 |
| Renault Trafic | 967 |
| Kia PV5 Cargo | 586 |
| Vauxhall Vivaro | 580 |
| Toyota Hilux | 113 |
| Volkswagen Amarok | 42 |
| Model | YTD sales |
|---|---|
| Ford Transit Custom | 14,236 |
| Ford Transit | 6,874 |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 5,114 |
| Vauxhall Vivaro | 4,981 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 4,862 |
| Ford Ranger | 4,103 |
| Renault Trafic | 3,907 |
| Kia PV5 | 1,944 |
| Toyota Hilux | 1,102 |
| Volkswagen Amarok | 311 |
