Feeling the strain: unsustainable working hours are causing UK tradespeople to consider quitting their jobs

• A third of UK tradespeople are considering quitting their job due to longer working days, according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles survey¹
• Financial pressures mean tradespeople are working longer days – up 10%, or 51 minutes, since 2022 – to keep money coming in to the business²
• This equates to almost an extra month every year as a result³
• ‘Work/life balance’ and ‘overworking’ are two of the main stressors for UK tradespeople¹

Milton Keynes, UK, 29 July 2026 – Almost one third (30%) of UK tradespeople have considered quitting their job over the past 12 months as they work longer hours than ever before, new research by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles reveals¹.

The UK’s tradespeople are working an average of 9.44 hours per day, up almost 10%, or 51 minutes, compared to the 2022 average of 8.59 hours per day².

This equates to almost one extra month of work across the working year³.

These longer working hours are having the most profound effect on 18-24 year olds, with as many as 45% saying they’re ready to quit due to working pressures.

This is causing 44% to regularly stress about their work/life balance and 39% to have concern about constant overworking.

Quitting their job would be a disaster for the UK economy, with three quarters of van drivers believing there is a shortage of skilled workers entering the industry¹.

It’s therefore essential for tradespeople to have reliable vehicles. By minimising downtime, the right choice of van makes workdays efficient and ensures confidence for tradespeople when on the road. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has a range of service plans that provide peace of mind, combining the cost of a number of scheduled services, paid monthly or upfront, avoiding larger payments when services are due.

To further reduce vehicle-related concerns, the 5+ Promise is included as standard on all new Transporter, Amarok and California vehicles, which includes five services – three services for electric models – three MOTs, a five-year Warranty and five years’ Roadside Assistance.⁴

Recently, the brand was recognised by Fleet News as the ‘Most Reliable Van Manufacturer’ for the second consecutive year. The award-winning range of products and services is designed to help avoid unexpected headaches and keep drivers confident on the road, and with the accountant.

Richard Welch, Technical Training & Development Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “UK tradespeople are facing challenges from all angles, having to work longer days than ever before to survive, the industry is at breaking point. At Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, we are dedicated to providing vehicles and services that reduce the burden by being reliable business partners to drivers through those long, hard days.”

For more information regarding Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ award-winning range of products and services, please visit: www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

(ends)

Notes to editors
¹Results are taken from a OnePoll survey of 1,000 UK van drivers, conducted in December 2025, covering the 2025 calendar year, commissioned by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
²Results are taken from a OnePoll survey of 1,000 UK van drivers, conducted in December 2022, covering the 2022 calendar year, commissioned by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
³220 working days in a year (UK average, based on 365 minus weekends, bank holidays and 28 days statutory leave) x 51 minutes = 187 hours, divided by 9.44 (average number of working hours per day) = 19.81 days = 94% of an average working month in the UK.
⁴Additional work, including wear and tear, is excluded. Warranty: earlier of 5 years or 124,000 miles. Servicing must be carried out in line with the requirements of the service schedule and all servicing and warranty work must be carried out at a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Authorised Repairer. Warranty exclusions apply (including shorter warranty period for components subject to wear and tear, mechanical adjustments (6 months/6,500 miles) and windscreen (1 month/600 miles). Roadside assistance: excludes costs of parts, garage, labour or other costs in excess of specified limits. Other limitations & exclusions apply. See Roadside Assistance Handbook for full details https://www.volkswagenvans.co.uk/idhub/content/dam/onehub_nfz/importers/gb/downloads/roadside_assistance_handbook.pdf. Servicing & MOTs administered by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Financial Services. Warranty administered by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK. Roadside assistance administered by AA.

About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles:
More than 75 years since the first Transporter arrived in the UK, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has become synonymous with providing reliable and versatile vehicles for individuals and businesses across the country.

Working with our commercial customers, our diverse range of vans and comprehensive aftersales support helps keep businesses moving. Today, our line-up includes the compact Caddy and all-electric ID. Buzz Cargo, the evergreen Transporter, now in its seventh generation, the Amarok pick-up, and sturdy Crafter panel vans, as well as dropsides and tippers. 

Together with our customers, our range of lifestyle vehicles provides the freedom to do more with every journey – whether it's transporting friends and family in the Caravelle or all-electric ID. Buzz – available in 5-, 6- or 7-seat configurations – or exploring further in the new California and Grand California campervans.

For more information on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ products and aftersales support, visit: www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

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