Latest figures from the SMMT show vans dipped 2.6% in the month to 18,417 units, but remained 9.3% up for the January-July period with 151,594 registrations.

Total CV registrations were stable in July at 22,211 (-0.6%) with 177,708 registrations over the year-to-date, a 6.5% rise.

Truck demand rose 10.3% in the month, beginning to turn around the 7.8% decline over the year to date.

"July's commercial vehicle market performed on par with 2012 levels as rising truck volumes helped to offset a dip in van sales," said Nigel Base, SMMT commercial vehicle manager.

"We've been expecting a rise in truck volumes as the Euro 5/6 issue comes to a head. In July, trucks rose 10.3% continuing the trend begun a month earlier - a momentum that should continue to the end of the year. Van registrations have fluctuated through the year with dips following sizable peaks in demand. We are confident that the van market will end the year strongly, up 9.2% on 2012, topping 261,000 units."