The UK’s truck parc has remained virtually unchanged over the past 15 months, but operators have added more than 2,200 trailers during the same period, according to the latest MT Fleet Data analysis.
Figures covering the period from March 2025 to June 2026 show the total number of trucks remained effectively static, edging down by just three vehicles from 299,969 to 299,966. Trailer numbers, however, increased by 2,246 units, rising from 243,251 to 245,497.
The contrasting trends suggest operators are increasing carrying capacity without making significant additions to their powered vehicle fleets.
The pattern is particularly evident among own-account operators. Their truck fleets fell by 1,274 vehicles over the period, from 137,046 to 135,772, while trailer numbers increased by 745 units to 58,848.
Among third-party logistics providers (3PLs), truck numbers increased by 2,042 vehicles to 164,194 and trailer numbers rose by 2,134 to 186,649.
The data also highlights a growing divergence between larger and smaller operators.
Mid-sized fleets operating between 100 and 499 trucks recorded the strongest growth, increasing truck numbers by 7.3% and trailer numbers by 7.5%. Collectively, these operators added 2,837 trucks and 3,326 trailers over the period.
At the other end of the scale, fleets with fewer than 100 trucks continued to contract. Truck numbers fell by 8.0% while trailer numbers declined by 9.4%, reducing the total vehicle parc within the category from 65,427 to 59,699.
Operators running more than 500 trucks posted more modest gains, with truck numbers increasing by 1.7% and trailer numbers by 1.9%.
The figures suggest that while overall truck numbers have plateaued, investment in trailer assets continues. They also point to growth becoming increasingly concentrated among medium-sized and larger operators, while smaller fleets remain under pressure.
Table: MT Fleet Data (March 2025 – June 2026)
| Fleet category | Trucks Mar-25 | Trucks Jun-26 | Change | Trailers Mar-25 | Trailers Jun-26 | Change |
| Total market | 299,969 | 299,966 | 0.0% | 243,251 | 245,497 | +0.9% |
| 3PL operators | 162,152 | 164,194 | +1.3% | 184,515 | 186,649 | +1.2% |
| 3PL (500+ trucks) | 92,313 | 93,926 | +1.7% | 106,177 | 108,205 | +1.9% |
| 3PL (100-499 trucks) | 38,641 | 41,478 | +7.3% | 44,209 | 47,535 | +7.5% |
| 3PL (under 100 trucks) | 31,298 | 28,790 | -8.0% | 34,129 | 30,909 | -9.4% |
| Own-account operators | 137,046 | 135,772 | -0.9% | 58,103 | 58,848 | +1.3% |
Key figures
- Total truck parc: 299,969 → 299,966 (-3 vehicles)
- Total trailer parc: 243,251 → 245,497 (+2,246 trailers)
- Own-account trucks: -1,274
- Own-account trailers: +745
- Strongest growth: 3PL fleets with 100-499 trucks
- Sharpest decline: 3PL fleets with fewer than 100 trucks
