White is still the most popular colour for van drivers, representing 57% (1.9 million) of all registered Light Good Vehicles (LGVs) on British roads, according to new analysis by Direct Line Business.

Despite the launch of a range of new colour palettes, white has remained the number one choice for van drivers over the past decade.

There are more vans on UK roads than ever before, with the number of registered LGVs  increasing by over 700,000 (26%) since 2003 to 3.3 million in 2013. 

The biggest rise is in the number of silver coloured vans registered.  Just 3% (75,173) of vans in use in 2003 were silver; now 11% (368,285) are this colour.

In 2012, silver vans displaced blue vans as the nation’s second favourite choice. The popularity of blue vans has dropped from 14% of all vans in 2003 to 10% in 2013. Red has seen a decrease from 11% in 2003 to just 7% in 2013. 

In the last 12 months, the analysis by Direct Line for Business showed that the number of registered LGVs in Britain has increased by 2% from 3.28 million to 3.35 million. 

Number of licensed LGVs by colour

Colour

2003

2012

2013

White

57 %(1.51 million)

57% (1.87 million)

57% (1.90 million)

 

Silver

3% (75,173)

10% (343,444)

11% (368,285)

 

Blue

14% (367,221)

10% (340,319)

10% (336,456)

 

Red

11% (300,889)

7% (229,335)

7% (226,625)

 

Black

1% (34,808)

5% (157,305)

5% (172,753)

 

Grey

5% (111,671)

4% (125,237)

4% (133,915)

 

Green

5% (133,905)

4% (121,532)

4% (119,383)

 
 
Jazz Gakhal, head of Direct Line for Business, said: “White vans have assumed their own place in modern British folklore, transporting the goods and services for businesses across the country.
 
"The increase in the number of LGVs purchased in the last 12 months is a healthy sign that small businesses and tradesmen are investing in their enterprises and potentially expanding.”