Best Of 5 Best vans for builders

The Ford Transit has consistently been one of the UK’s best-selling vans for decades, and the latest model certainly doesn’t disappoint, offering a winning blend of versatility, reliability and affordability.

Available in both short and long wheelbase guises, the Transit offers a loadspace of up to 8,300 litres. The L3 model is likely to be a popular choice with builders, thanks to a payload of up to 1,375kgs and an internal body length of close to 3.5 metres.

Whichever model you choose, the Transit is powered by a range of efficient diesel engines that are Euro 6 compliant and offer fuel economy of up to 46.3mpg. The Transit is also great to drive and offers a wide range of modern technologies to make life easier. It’s great to drive and has a reputation for reliability, too.

Find a Ford Transit Custom here.

The Volkswagen Transporter is another longstanding name you’ll probably feel instantly familiar with. Now in its sixth generation, the latest incarnation of the Transporter is certainly not the cheapest medium panel van on the market, but it is one of the most accomplished, and it’ll hold onto its value well come resale time.

As you would expect, the Transporter is available in a range of sizes, with payloads of up to 1,220kgs and a capacious loadspace of up to 9,300 litres. What’s more, the Transporter excels when it comes to performance, economy and refinement, with a range of punchy and efficient BlueMotion engines that meet the Euro6 standard and deliver up to 47.1mpg.

Completing the picture is the high-quality interior, with top-draw comfort and impressive build quality. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a versatile van for your building business.

Find a Volkswagen Transporter here.

The Toyota Proace is a close relative of the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert, but we’d pick this one over its rivals thanks to the Japanese brand’s superior 5-year warranty.

Available in three different lengths, it’s likely to be the medium panel model that will be most appealing to builders, with a reasonable payload of 1,000kg. Up front, there’s space for three to travel in comfort and a wide range of technologies available from the options list.

The engines are impressive, too, with fuel economy of up to 44.8mpg from the 1.5 litre diesel engine, or 39.2mpg from the 2.0 unit. The only real disappointment is that there are no petrol options, meaning the Proace won’t be for you if you’re looking to make the switch back to filling up from the green pump.

Find a Toyota Proace here.

Few brands can match the quality and prestige of a Mercedes-Benz, and while the Vito is still very much a workhorse, it offers a level of quality and technology you won’t find in many rivals.

Of course, there’s a premium price to go with this, but if you’re willing to make the investment, the Vito offers lots of features that make it a great van for builders.

With a payload of up to 1,145kg and maximum loadspace of 6,900, there’ll certainly be plenty of room for all your building gear. What’s more, the Vito is great to drive and comes with a range of efficient engines delivering fuel economy of up to 47mpg. If you’re looking for a van that offers a refined driving experience, the German model could be the one for you.

Find a Mercedes-Benz Vito here.

Vauxhall’s Vivaro has become an increasingly popular choice in recent years thanks to its combination of loading capacity, efficient engines and good value for money.

A close relation to the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace, the Vivaro offers a 1.5 tonne maximum payload and comes with a choice of two efficient diesel engines. There’s a 1.5 litre engine that’s more than up to the job of hauling the van and its cargo around, or a slightly torquier 2.0 diesel. With official fuel economy in the late 40s mpg, the Vivaro shouldn’t prove expensive to run.

Overall, the Vauxhall Vivaro is a great choice if you’re a builder looking for a versatile workhorse.

Find a Vauxhall Vivaro here.