On a typical new van in the UK, it’s common to see roughly 35–55% depreciation over the first three years (often measured at 36 months/60,000 miles). The exact hit depends far more on the van’s type, mileage and how “sellable” the spec is than on the badge alone.
What “normal” looks like
Year 1 is usually the steepest drop (you lose the “brand new” premium). Years 2–3 tend to be steadier, but mileage starts to dominate: a three-year-old van on 90,000 miles will usually be worth noticeably less than one on 45,000.
What affects depreciation most
Body type and demand: Medium panel vans (Transit Custom, Vivaro-sized) often hold up better than niche conversions. Crew vans, dropsides and tippers can be strong or weak depending on local demand and condition.
Spec that helps resale: Sensible colours, ply-lining, a bulkhead, parking sensors, and a reputable racking setup can help. Over-personalised signwriting, odd wheels or unusual conversions can narrow your buyer pool.
Powertrain: Diesel residuals are still influenced by emissions-zone rules and running costs. Electric van depreciation is harder to generalise because it’s tied to battery warranty, real-world range, charging access and how quickly new models improve.
Buying vs leasing: why it matters
If you’re buying outright, depreciation is your biggest cost. If you’re leasing (or on contract hire), the finance company is effectively pricing in expected depreciation — so strong residuals can mean lower rentals, all else equal.
Two quick checks before you commit
Ask for a CAP/HPI-style residual estimate at your expected mileage, and compare quotes at 10k vs 20k miles/year. Small mileage changes can shift the three-year value more than an option pack.
