Currently, 20% of firms use used vans, and 40% more plan to in three years
Currently, a notable portion of businesses are already utilizing pre-owned light commercial vehicles (LCVs) as part of their corporate fleets. To be precise, the data indicates that 20% of these fleets are presently incorporating second-hand LCVs into their operations. Looking ahead, there is a significant interest in expanding the use of used LCVs among corporate fleets. Indeed, an additional 40% of these fleets have indicated that they are planning to procure used light commercial vehicles in the near future, specifically within the next three years. This demonstrates a growing trend and acceptance of used LCVs as a viable option for businesses managing their transportation needs.
That in itself is a remarkable result, but even more extraordinary than those overall numbers are the per-country results produced by the Arval Mobility Observatory’s 2025 Fleet and Mobility Barometer, published earlier this year.
Highest rate
The Barometer surveyed fleet management professionals from across Europe and a few countries beyond.
A whopping 51% of LCV fleets in Greece already operate used LCVs, the highest rate of all 26 countries surveyed. An additional 34% of Greek LCV fleet managers is considering integrating used LCVs into their fleets in the next three years. That takes the total of those already including or considering including LCVs in their fleets up to an amazing 85% – again, the highest result for all countries surveyed.
The next highest overall scores are for the four Latin American countries included in the survey.
In Mexico, the figures are 25% already using used LCVs, and a further 54% considering it, for a total of 79%.
In Brazil, it’s 26% and 49%, totaling 75%.
In Peru, 13% of fleets already operate used LCVs, and an additional 61% consider doing so over the next three years, bringing the total to 74%.
In Chile, 28% of fleets already have used LCVs, and a further 46% are considering doing so over the next three years, total: 74%.
Denmark and Finland
In Europe, the Danish and Finnish fleets have remarkably high scores.
In both countries, 37% of fleets are already running used LCVs as part of their fleets.
A further 40% (in Denmark) and 33% (in Finland) are considering doing so over the next three years, bringing the totals to 77% and 70% respectively.
Across Europe’s Big Five markets, the results are as follows:
19% of German fleets already operate used LCVs, a further 45% may do so over the next three years. Total: 64%.
In France, the figures are 7% and 56%, for a total of 63%.
In Italy, they are 4% and 49%, total: 53%.
13% of UK fleets already have used LCVs, a further 36% consider getting them in the next three years. Total: 49%.
8% of Spanish fleets already use second-hand LCVs, with an additional 41% considering doing so in the near future. Total: 49%.
Improved supply
While those figures show a great spread, especially when it comes to current implementation of used LCVs, they also point to a key development, especially with respect to near-future ambitions: in three years time, used LCVs may make up nearly half of all vehicles even in the countries most reluctant to adopt used LCVs.
Noting that the current penetration of used vehicles is lower for LCV operators than for car fleets, and that their ambitions to adopt them in the future are higher, John Peters, Head of the Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK comments:
“Our feeling is that van fleets have as strong an interest in the used sector as their car counterparts but have generally found it more difficult to acquire vehicles on the used market following the pandemic, especially where they need multiple units. In the future, they hope that improved supply will enable them to buy more”.
Overall, “it does appear that second-hand van use is becoming a much more accepted part of the market”.
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