Van-derived passenger models have helped revive the UK MPV market, with registrations recovering by 39% in three years as buyers continue to seek space and flexibility.
Vehicle Data Global (VDG) said genuine MPV registrations increased from a low of 41,610 in 2022 to 57,875 during 2025 despite the disappearance of many traditional people carriers.
Registrations of conventional MPVs have fallen by 98% since 2014 following the withdrawal of models including the Ford Galaxy and Volkswagen Touran as manufacturers shifted their product investment towards SUVs.
However, VDG believes larger SUVs have not provided enough usable space for some families and business users, creating an opportunity for boxier passenger vehicles developed from vans.
MPV registrations rebound 39%
The Ford Tourneo Custom recorded almost 5,000 registrations during 2025, while the Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall Combo Life each exceeded 2,000.
VDG also highlighted demand for the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi and ID Buzz, together with the Dacia Jogger, which offers MPV-style practicality without being derived from a van.
The number of individual models achieving at least 200 annual registrations increased from 42 in 2021 to 50 in 2025.
VDG reached its figures after removing vehicles it believes are incorrectly classified as MPVs in registration datasets despite being SUVs, including the Tesla Model Y.
For car dealers, the recovery indicates that demand for practical multi-seat vehicles has not disappeared. Instead, buyers have transferred their attention to models marketed without the traditional people carrier image.
Practicality outlives MPV label
Ben Hermer, operations director at VDG, said: “The rise, fall and rise again of the MPV suggests that drivers only fell out of love with the people carrier name, rather than the space and flexibility offered by the segment and now manufacturers are investing to meet that demand again.
“What we are seeing today is the adoption of ultra-practical van-derived vehicles which make a virtue of their boxy design and the appetite for them is revealed by the success of models like the Peugeot Rifter, Vauxhall Combo Life, Volkswagen Caddy Maxi and Ford Tourneo Custom, along with head-turners like the Volkswagen ID Buzz.
“So, while many MPVs were transformed into more adventurous looking SUV body styles, the segment is having a new lease of life as the stealth MPV – even if it no longer carries that label.”
The change gives dealerships a distinct stock and marketing opportunity among customers whose priorities centre on passenger capacity, load space and flexibility rather than SUV styling.
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