THE UK VAN
COMPARISON
GUIDE
Eight base vehicles. One honest verdict. For builders who want to get this decision right before spending a penny on conversion.
The Quick Verdict
Direct metrics for LWB High Roof configurations.
| Base Vehicle | Best For | Int. Height | Payload | Used Price | Score /10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes Sprinter | Premium off-grid, 4×4 | 1,860mm | 1,400kg | £14,000+ | 9.5 |
| VW Crafter | High-spec touring, max volume | 1,961mm | 1,000kg | £16,000+ | 9.0 |
| MAN TGE | Budget Crafter, fleet support | 1,961mm | 1,000kg | £12,000+ | 8.5 |
| Fiat Ducato | Budget, transverse bed, width | 1,932mm | 1,200kg | £8,000+ | 8.0 |
| Ford Transit | Budget-friendly, parts availability | 1,840mm | 1,200kg | £8,000+ | 7.5 |
| Iveco Daily | Maximum payload, heavy builds | 2,100mm+ | 1,750kg | £9,000+ | 7.5 |
| Renault Master | Budget, broad parts access | 1,700mm | 1,000kg | £7,000+ | 6.5 |
Who Should Buy What?
Mercedes Sprinter
BUY IF: You're building a serious, long-term off-grid setup and want the best combination of space, payload, parts availability, reliability, and resale value. The 4×4 variant is the only production van with genuine off-road capability. Premium builds, full wet rooms, heavy lithium systems, and serious overlanding all point to the Sprinter.
VW Crafter
BUY IF: You want Sprinter-level quality with FWD (which gives you a lower floor, more interior height, and more cargo volume than the rear-wheel-drive Sprinter). The L3H3 LWB Super High gives you 16.1m³ — the most volume of any production panel van. If you're a couple building a full home-on-wheels with no weight constraints, this is the pick.
MAN TGE
BUY IF: You want the VW Crafter but at £5,000-£8,000 less. It IS the VW Crafter. Same factory in Poland, same 2.0 TDI engines, same dimensions. The TGE badge gets less attention on the forecourt so it's priced more aggressively. MAN's truck service network has longer opening hours than VW dealers — useful if you drive it hard.
Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer
BUY IF: Width is your priority. The Sevel vans are 218cm wide internally — 3-4cm wider than a Sprinter. That's enough for a transverse double bed without needing wheel arch extenders. Hugely popular platform, massive parts availability, cheaper to buy and insure, and the engines (2.2 Multijet) are simpler to maintain.
Ford Transit
BUY IF: Budget is tight and you want to get building. The Transit is the most common van on UK roads — parts are everywhere, mechanics know them, and you'll find a clean example for £7,000-£10,000. Not as refined as the German vans, height is more limited, but for a budget first build it's a solid choice.
Iveco Daily
BUY IF: You're building something heavy. The Daily offers up to 1,750kg payload — almost double the Crafter. If your build plan involves substantial water tanks, a heavy generator, a full bathroom, and extensive cabinetry, the Daily is the only van that gives you the payload budget to do it properly.
Special Mention: Renault Master
Avoid if: Not a bad van, but narrower than the Ducato, less refined than the German options, and harder to find in good condition at the right price for conversion. Only consider if you find an excellent example at a standout price.
Internal Dimensions
For DIY builders, the floor shape matters as much as the length. A flat floor (found in FWD vans like the Crafter) is significantly easier to build on than a floor with a driveshaft tunnel (RWD Sprinters).
LWB High Roof Metric Matrix
Payload Reality
Lithium batteries, water tanks, and solid oak cabinetry add up. A "Heavy" off-grid build can easily consume 800kg of payload.
Typical Conversion Weights
- Lightweight Weekender200-350kg
- 3-Season Tourer350-550kg
- Full Off-Grid Live-Aboard550-800kg+
"If your build involves a full wet room and a 400Ah+ battery bank, you should prioritize a Sprinter or Daily. The Crafter's payload is tighter once the conversion is complete."
Engine & Reliability
Mercedes OM654 (2018+)
The gold standard. 300,000+ miles is achievable with basic oil changes. Watch for AdBlue sensor failures on Euro 6 models.
VW 2.0 TDI
Refined and efficient. Cam belt (not chain) needs changing every 4-5 years or 60k miles. Very few major flaws.
Fiat 2.2 Multijet
Simple and proven. Easy for any UK mechanic to work on. Parts are incredibly cheap compared to German rivals.
Ford EcoBlue
Excellent power, but injectors can be sensitive to fuel quality. Regular fuel filter changes are non-negotiable.