Verdict
| If You... | Buy This |
|---|---|
| Are building your first van | Ford Transit Custom L2 |
| Want the best driving experience | VW Transporter T6.1 SWB |
| Need space for full-time living | Mercedes Sprinter L3H2 |
| Are on a tight budget | Fiat Ducato L2 |
| Want the best resale value | VW Transporter T6.1 |
| Drive in cities | VW T6.1 SWB or Transit Custom L1 |
| Are tall (6'+) | Mercedes Sprinter H2 or Fiat Ducato high roof |
| Need a shower/toilet inside | Mercedes Sprinter L3 or Fiat Ducato L3 |
The Transit Custom is the sensible choice for 80% of UK van builders. It drives well, is cheap to maintain, has excellent conversion support, and holds its value. The only reason to choose something else is if you need significantly more space (Sprinter) or want the VW badge.
Best Campervan Models UK 2026: Top Vans for Conversion & Buying Guide
Choosing the right base van is the most important decision in your conversion. The wrong choice means constant mechanical headaches, poor resale value, or a layout that never quite works.
This guide covers the five most popular UK campervan base vehicles, with real costs, payloads, and conversion considerations.
The Contenders
| Van | Price (Used, 5yr old) | MPG | Payload | Lengths | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit Custom | £12,000–18,000 | 35–42 | 800–1,200kg | L1, L2 | First build, best all-rounder |
| VW Transporter T6.1 | £16,000–25,000 | 32–38 | 700–1,000kg | SWB, LWB | Premium small camper, resale |
| Mercedes Sprinter | £15,000–28,000 | 28–34 | 1,000–2,000kg | L2, L3, L4 | Full-time living, tall people |
| Fiat Ducato / Citroen Relay | £10,000–16,000 | 30–36 | 1,200–1,800kg | L2, L3, L4 | Budget, motorhome base |
| Renault Trafic / Vivaro | £10,000–15,000 | 38–44 | 900–1,100kg | L1, L2 | Budget Transit alternative |
Ford Transit Custom (2016–Present)
The UK's most popular van, and for good reason. The Transit Custom is the default choice for UK self-builds.
Pros
- Parts availability: Every motor factor in the UK stocks Transit Custom parts. You can fix almost anything within 24 hours
- Driving experience: Drives like a large car, not a van. Good visibility, light steering, comfortable on long journeys
- Payload: 800–1,200kg depending on variant — enough for a full conversion
- Interior width: 1,784mm between the wheel arches — wide enough for a transverse bed (standard UK mattress sizes fit)
- Fuel economy: 35–42mpg from the 2.0L EcoBlue diesel
- Resale: Strong demand from converters, good resale value
- Works with: Kiravans and Van-X make excellent conversion-specific parts
Cons
- Length: L2 (5.3m) is the practical choice, but it is still a small living space for two people full-time
- No LWB option: The Custom only comes in L1 (short) and L2 (medium). For a long wheelbase, you need the 2-tonne Transit
- DPF issues: The EcoBlue engine needs regular long runs to regenerate the DPF. Short trips kill it
- Rear doors: The barn doors are 1,200mm wide — not wide enough for some motorcycle loading
- Sliding door: Can be sticky and requires regular lubrication
Which Custom to Buy
| Model | Engine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 290 L2 | 2.0L 130PS | Best payload for camper conversion |
| 310 L2 | 2.0L 170PS | More power for hills, same payload |
| 320 L2 | 2.0L 185PS | Sports model, stiffer suspension |
| PHEV | 2.5L hybrid | 30-mile electric range, heavy batteries |
Our pick: A 2020+ 310 L2 (or L2H2 if you want to stand up inside) with the 170PS engine and manual gearbox. The 6-speed auto is smooth but adds complexity and £1,500 to the purchase price.
Buying Tips
- Check the DPF regeneration history (ask for the service record)
- Listen for timing chain rattle on cold start (known issue on early 2.0L EcoBlue)
- Rust check: front subframe, rear spring mounts, door bottoms
- L2 has 2.1m internal length — enough for a 1.9m longitudinal bed with a garage
VW Transporter T6.1 (2019–Present)
The icon. The Transporter has been the gold standard for camper conversions for decades. It commands a premium price because of its driving quality, reputation, and resale value.
Pros
- Brand cachet: A converted Transporter resells for significantly more than an equivalent Transit
- Build quality: The interior feels premium. Everything fits. The doors close with a satisfying thunk
- Driving: Excellent. The T6.1 handles like a Golf. It is the most car-like van to drive
- Resale value: Depreciation is minimal. Buy a 3-year-old T6.1, use it for 5 years, sell it for what you paid
- Size: SWB (4.9m) fits in standard UK parking spaces
- Aftermarket: The largest aftermarket support of any van. Kiravans, Evolution, Slidepods, Van-X, CampervanCulture
Cons
- Price: £16,000–25,000 for a 5-year-old example. A new one is £40,000+
- Payload: Only 700–1,000kg. Once you add a conversion (400kg), two people (150kg), and gear (100kg), you are at the limit
- Width: 1,620mm between wheel arches — too narrow for a transverse standard mattress. You need a custom foam mattress
- Engine: The 2.0L TDI is reliable but underpowered for fully loaded camper use. The 150PS and 204PS are the best options
- AdBlue: T6.1 needs AdBlue top-ups every 5,000–7,000 miles
- Rust: Early T6s had rust issues on sliding door runners and rear wheel arches
Which T6.1 to Buy
| Model | Payload | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| SWB (4.9m) | 789kg | Couples, weekender, parking-friendly |
| LWB (5.3m) | 842kg | Families, more living space |
| High Roof | — | Only if you need to stand up (rare) |
| Kombi | Varies | Best base van (windows in rear, rear seats) |
| Panel Van | Varies | Full DIY conversion from scratch |
Our pick: A 2020+ T6.1 SWB Kombi 150PS. The Kombi comes with rear windows and seats that you can use while building or sell afterward.
Buying Tips
- Check for cam belt vs chain — T6.1 uses a cam belt, change every 5 years / 100k miles
- DPF issues are less common on T6.1 than Transit but still happen with short trips
- Check the sliding door mechanism for wear
- Avoid the 4Motion (4WD) unless you actually need it — adds £3,000+ to the price and reduces payload
Mercedes Sprinter (2018–Present)
The palace. The Sprinter is massive, comfortable, and over-engineered. It is the best choice for full-time living, tall people, or anyone who wants a shower/toilet inside.
Pros
- Space: The L3 (6.9m) has 3.7m of internal length — you can fit a full bathroom, kitchen, and separate bedroom
- Standing height: High roof versions have 2m+ of internal height. I am 6'2" and can stand up straight
- Payload: 1,000–2,000kg depending on variant — you can build whatever you want
- Engine: The 2.0L OM654 diesel is smooth, quiet, and efficient for its size (28–34mpg)
- Safety: Lane keep, adaptive cruise, auto braking — more driver aids than any other van in this category
- 4x4 option: Genuine off-road capability with low-range gearbox
Cons
- Cost: Expensive to buy (£15,000–28,000 used) and expensive to fix
- Parts: Mercedes parts cost 2–3× Ford equivalent. A replacement headlight assembly is £800
- Size: L2 (6.0m) is a challenge in UK city centres. L3 (6.9m) is impractical for daily driving
- Fuel economy: 28–34mpg is noticeably worse than a Transit Custom
- Complexity: The electronics are sophisticated and failure-prone. GLOW (pre-heat) system issues are common
- Works with: Fewer off-the-shelf conversion parts than Transit or Transporter
Which Sprinter to Buy
| Model | Length | Height | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 314 CDI L2 | 6.0m | Standard | Couples, manageable size |
| 316 CDI L3 | 6.9m | Standard | Full-time living, workshop |
| 319 CDI L3H2 | 6.9m | 2.1m | Standing height, shower, toilet |
| 4x4 | Various | Various | Off-road, Scottish Highlands |
Our pick: A 2020+ 316 CDI L2 with the high roof (H2). This gives you standing height, 6m length (manageable), and enough payload for a full conversion with bathroom.
Buying Tips
- GLOW plug system failure is the most common Sprinter issue — check for fault codes
- Rust at the bottom of the front doors and rear wheel arches
- Transmission: the 9-speed auto (7G-Tronic or 9G-Tronic) is excellent but expensive to repair
- Security: Sprinters are the most-stolen van in the UK. Fit an OBD port lock and Cat 1 alarm
Fiat Ducato / Citroen Relay / Peugeot Boxer
Identical vans — they share the same chassis, body, and engine. The Ducato is the most popular motorhome base in Europe for a reason: it is cheap, simple, and easy to work on.
Pros
- Lowest cost: £10,000–16,000 for a 5-year-old van
- Payload: 1,200–1,800kg — more than Transit or Transporter
- Width: 1,870mm between wheel arches — the widest of any mainstream van
- Lengths: L2 (5.4m), L3 (6.0m), and L4 (6.6m) options
- Parts: Cheap and widely available
- Reliability: Simple mechanicals, fewer electronics than Sprinter
Cons
- Driving: Numb steering, vague gearbox, noisy cabin. It feels like driving a truck
- Fuel economy: 30–36mpg
- Corrosion: Early models (pre-2017) had significant rust issues on rear wheel arches and subframes
- Build quality: Interior trim is cheap, rattly, and falls apart
- No standing height: The high roof models are tall enough (1.9m interior) but look disproportionate
Which Ducato to Buy
| Model | Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 130PS L2 | 5.4m | Couples, first build |
| 2.3L 140PS L3 | 6.0m | Families, full bathroom |
| 2.3L 160PS L4 | 6.6m | Large layouts, workshop |
Our pick: A 2020+ 2.3L 140PS L2 — the best balance of size, cost, and capability. Avoid pre-2018 models (rust issues).
Renault Trafic / Vauxhall Vivaro / Nissan Primastar
Triplets — same van, different badges. Between the Transit Custom and Ducato in size and price.
- Renault Trafic: Best-built of the three
- Vauxhall Vivaro: Most common in second-hand market
- Nissan Primastar: Cheapest, slightly less refined
Pros
- Similar space to Transit Custom at lower cost (£10,000–15,000 for 5-year-old)
- Good driving position and visibility
- Reasonable fuel economy (38–44mpg)
- Loads of aftermarket conversion parts
Cons
- Payload is on the lower end (900–1,100kg)
- DPF issues similar to Transit Custom
- Interior width is narrower than Transit — 1,640mm between wheel arches
- Automatic gearbox (EDC) is jerky and unreliable — avoid
New vs Used
New (£35,000–60,000)
- Full warranty (3–5 years)
- Known history, no corrosion concerns
- Can spec exactly what you want (roof, engine, colour)
- Lower finance rates
- Payload is at factory spec (not reduced by previous damage)
Used (£10,000–25,000)
- Much lower entry cost
- Pre-2019 vans avoid DPF regeneration issues on short journeys (older engines are simpler)
- A 3-year-old ex-fleet van has typically done 60,000–80,000 miles and is mechanically sound
- You will need to budget for: cambelt (£400–800), brakes (£200–400), potential DPF/AdBlue issues
Conversion Costs (Ballpark)
| Van | Purchase Price | Conversion Cost | Total | Resale Value (Converted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit Custom L2 | £14,000 | £5,000–15,000 | £19,000–29,000 | £20,000–35,000 |
| VW T6.1 SWB | £20,000 | £5,000–15,000 | £25,000–35,000 | £28,000–45,000 |
| Mercedes Sprinter L3H2 | £22,000 | £8,000–20,000 | £30,000–42,000 | £30,000–50,000 |
| Fiat Ducato L2 | £12,000 | £5,000–15,000 | £17,000–27,000 | £18,000–30,000 |
| Renault Trafic L2 | £12,000 | £5,000–12,000 | £17,000–24,000 | £18,000–28,000 |
FAQ
Q: What is the best campervan for a first build? A: Ford Transit Custom L2. It is the easiest to convert (Kiravans and Van-X make everything), parts are cheap, and it drives like a car. Do not start with a Sprinter — it is too big and too expensive to make mistakes on.
Q: Should I buy a panel van or a Kombi/window van? A: Panel van for a DIY conversion (you make all the interior choices). Kombi if you want the option of rear seats for passengers. Avoid factory window vans unless the windows are positioned where you want them — moving them is expensive.
Q: What mileage should I look for in a used van for conversion? A: 50,000–80,000 miles is the sweet spot. Enough to have had its major services, not so much that the engine is worn. Expect to pay £1,000–2,000 less for every 20,000 miles above 80k. Avoid ex-rental vans (high wear, poor maintenance).
Q: Do I need a high roof van? A: Only if you want to stand up inside. For many people, a standard roof Transit Custom (1.5m internal height) is fine if you sit to dress and do not mind bending. A high roof adds £2,000–4,000 to the van price and reduces fuel economy. If you are over 5'10", buy a high roof.
