What are the best used vans?
We test and rate the contenders
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Whether you're a courier delivering parcels for a well-known multinational firm or running errands for a local builders merchant, you'll need a van that can cram in as much as possible and be reliable.
All the used vans here offer loads of room for their size and their large doors and flat load bays that make it easy to use every last litre of space. They also come with a range of engines, none of which have wallet-busting running costs.
If you're ready to buy we've got over 2,000 Used Vans for Sale, otherwise read on to find out what are the best used vans on sale in the UK that will take on jobs big and small.
Year launched: 2012
The Ford Transit is the UK’s most popular van – millions can’t be wrong and there's a huge array of them to choose from them on the used van market. We’re not going to argue, the Transit’s available with great engines has a nice interior and – thanks to a five-star NCAP score – is very safe.
There are short and long-wheelbase versions for you to choose between with a cargo hold capacity of up to 8.3 cubic metres and a payload capacity in excess of 1.4 tonnes. You can even specify an optional load-through bulkhead hatch so there’s room to fit things like ladders, pipes and long lengths of timber.
Choose one of the diesel models and fuel economy of up to 40mpg should be possible and you’ll find the Transit Custom’s light controls and tight turning circle make it easy to drive in town. You can also fit kit like active cruise control, making it an ideal motorway cruiser.
Year launched: 2016
Volkswagen has a long history of building excellent vans and the Volkswagen T6 Transporter – its latest mid-sized van – is one of the best. It looks very similar to the old T5 but comprehensive improvements have been made in areas such as ease of use and refinement.
The Volkswagen has room for three Euro Pallets, can carry up to 1331kg and tow a braked trailer of 2500kg. The load bay is very practical, too, you can have rear barn doors that open 250 degrees and a sliding side door.
You get a decent choice of engines but the best on the current model is the 102PS diesel which feels much stronger than that modest power figure suggests. It’s also quiet, refined and capable of returning fuel economy of more than 45mpg.
Year launched: 2016
The Toyota Proace shares its parts with the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert but is marked out by its more comprehensive five-year/100,000-mile warranty – two years more cover than you get with the other two.
There are three body sizes and two wheelbases to choose between, as well as van or crew cab layouts which have space for up to nine people. The majority of models have a 1400kg payload, plus you get two sliding side doors and a pair of barn doors that open 250 degrees at the rear.
Air-conditioning is a glaring omission on the standard equipment list, but you do get a DAB radio and a full-length steel bulkhead. The best engine to choose is the 115PS diesel that moves the van along nicely and will return fuel economy of more than 50mpg.
Year launched: 2019
The Vauxhall Vivaro is Vauxhall’s best selling van and – unlike the mechanically identical Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace – it’s built in the UK, not France. It’s an easy van to drive and also comfortable.
You can choose 4.9 and 5.3-metre-long versions with a payload of up 1450kg, although its 6.6 cubic metre capacity is down on competitors. That said, all models get two sliding rear doors and mid-spec vans come with a bulkhead hatch for long materials like copper pipe and timber.
Even the entry-level diesel model produces 120PS and is capable of fuel economy of up to 47mpg. All models come with cruise control so you won’t get an achy right foot on long motorway stints, mid-spec vans get rear parking sensors, plus auto lights and wipers.
Year launched: 2014
The Mercedes Benz Vito offers a wide range of configurations – including crew cab and minibus models – all of which are car-like to drive and come with a healthy list of standard equipment.
You can choose from three van lengths all of which are 140mm longer than the old model and the van has a maximum payload capacity of 1350kg with space ranging from 5.5 cubic metres to 6.6. You can also choose from front or rear-wheel-drive models.
The new 1.6-litre diesel engine with 88PS or 114PS is perfect for town duties while the 2.1-litre diesel – with up to 190PS – is ideal for longer hauls. Whichever version you choose, the Vito handles tidily and is very comfortable on motorway stints.
Year launched: 2012
If you don’t need a big van, it’s worth considering the Ford Transit Connect – it’s an excellent all-rounder that’s available with a range of engines that are cheap to run. Its interior is well specified and all models get a handy Quickclear windscreen.
Panel van versions of the Transit Connect get two-seats, but if you need passenger space crew cab models get a bench with room for three more people, although load space is cut from 1.6 to 1.2 cubic metres.
Newer versions of the Transit Connect offer impressive equipment levels including kit like wireless phone charging, climate control and a three-pin plug in the cabin for charging tools. Splash out on a high-spec van and you can even have an infotainment screen with nav.
Year launched: 2009
The Citroen Berlingo is another great used van if you don’t need the space of a medium-sized van. It’s comfortable and easy to drive, cheap to run and is available with plenty of kit to make your life easier.
Thanks to a 1050kg payload and a 1.2-metre load width, it’s very practical – a Euro pallet will slide right in – and you can choose from M (4.4) and XL (4.7 metre-long) models. You can even specify an overload indicator so you’ll know when you’ve exceeded its limits.
You can choose from a variety of petrol and diesel engines which range from 75 to 130PS and can return more than 60mpg in the case of the diesels. You can also choose from five and six-speed manual gearboxes or a smooth-shifting eight-speed auto.
The Ford Transit is the best used van for couriers. You’ll find a huge selection of Transits on the second-hand market and whichever version you choose you’ll end up with a van that’s easy to live and relatively cheap to run and fix.
The best medium-sized van is the Ford Transit Custom. Okay, so its 8.3 cubic metre capacity isn’t the biggest but it’s still very practical with an optional bulkhead hatch that means you can carry long items.
The Ford Transit is the most comfortable van. Inside, it feels just like one of Ford's cars, albeit with a much better view out of the front, it's quiet on the motorway and can be specified with adaptive cruise control that accelerates and brakes for you.