The Best Used Vans to Convert Into a Campervan in the UK, The Definitive Mega Guide
- VanLife.uk
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
Micro Campers, Medium Vans, Large Panel Vans, Ex-Ambulances & Alternative Builds, Fully UK Focused
Choosing the right van to convert into a campervan is the single most important decision you’ll make when starting vanlife. Layouts can change and interiors can be rebuilt, but your base vehicle controls space, payload, running costs and how enjoyable travelling around Britain actually feels.
Before buying anything, many UK converters now design their campervan layout digitally so they can see what realistically fits inside different van sizes without wasting money or time.
This mega guide breaks down the best used vans available in the UK, from stealth micro campers to full-size panel vans, so you can choose a base vehicle that genuinely works for your travel style.
If you’re researching the best vans to convert into a campervan UK, understanding size, layout potential and real-world driving practicality is the best place to start.
Quick Answer: Best Used Vans for Camper Conversions in the UK
Best small van: Volkswagen Caddy or Citroën Berlingo
Best medium van: Ford Transit Custom
Best large van overall: Ford Transit
Best wide van for sideways beds: Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer or Citroën Relay
Best budget full-size van: Renault Master
Best alternative conversion: Ex-ambulance or Luton box van
If you’re unsure which size suits you, it helps to visualise your campervan interior before building so you know exactly how much room you’ll have to work with.
Why Choosing the Right Base Van Matters More Than the Interior
People often focus on electrics, insulation or fancy cabinetry first, but your van determines:
Whether you can stand comfortably
Which bed layouts are possible
How much weight you can legally carry
Insurance and running costs
Everyday driving comfort on UK roads
One of the smartest moves before buying is to plan your van interior layout first, helping you avoid expensive design mistakes later.
Understanding UK Campervan Sizes
How to Choose the Best Vans to Convert Into a Campervan UK
Before choosing a specific model, it helps to understand the main categories of vans used for camper conversions.
Small Vans and Micro Campers
Small vans are perfect for stealth camping, daily driving and budget builds. They’re easy to park, economical and ideal for weekend trips.
Typical features:
No standing height
Compact furniture
Fold-away beds
Popular UK models include the Volkswagen Caddy, Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Partner.
Because space is limited, many builders like to test their campervan layout ideas before cutting materials or committing to a design.
Medium Vans — The UK Sweet Spot
Medium vans balance living space and practicality. They’re large enough for kitchens and seating but still manageable on British roads.
Common examples:
Medium vans allow endless design possibilities, which is why it helps to map out your layout before buying a van so you know what genuinely works inside an SWB or LWB model.
Large Panel Vans — Full Camper Conversions
Large vans are ideal for standing room, fixed beds and full off-grid setups.
Popular UK platforms:
With more space comes more complexity, so many converters start by experimenting with different van layouts before building permanent furniture.
Small Vans and Micro Camper Conversions
Volkswagen Caddy — The Everyday Micro Camper
The VW Caddy remains one of the most popular small camper bases in Britain. It drives like a car and fits into normal parking spaces.
Why people choose it:
Comfortable daily driving
Strong reliability reputation
Huge community support
Because every centimetre matters, it’s worth taking time to see what actually fits inside your van before committing to a bed or storage system.
Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Partner & Vauxhall Combo — Budget Friendly Builds
These vans are everywhere on UK roads, meaning used prices are often lower than VW alternatives.
They’re ideal for:
First-time camper conversions
Low-budget builds
Minimalist vanlife
Small vans reward clever design, which is why many builders prefer to design a practical UK campervan interior digitally before starting construction.
Electric Micro Campers — Nissan e-NV200
Electric vanlife is still evolving, but the e-NV200 has become a realistic base for short-range UK camper builds.
Best suited for:
Urban travel
Weekend trips
Eco-focused conversions
Because battery weight affects payload, planning layouts carefully helps you avoid unexpected limitations.
Medium Vans — The Most Versatile Camper Conversion Bases
Ford Transit Custom — The Practical All-Rounder
The Transit Custom is one of Britain’s most popular camper bases thanks to its versatility.
Reasons converters love it:
Comfortable driving position
Strong payload capacity
Competitive used prices
Many builders like to design their campervan layout digitally to compare SWB and LWB interiors before committing.
Few vans are as closely linked to camper culture as the Transporter.
Strengths:
Huge aftermarket support
Strong resale values
Stylish appearance
Because builds vary massively, planning your layout visually helps avoid expensive mistakes later.
Renault Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro & Nissan Primastar — The Underrated Trio
These vans share a platform and offer excellent value compared to VW models.
Advantages:
Smooth driving experience
Practical interior width
Lower purchase prices
Their boxy shape makes them ideal for anyone wanting to visualise their campervan interior before building and experiment with different configurations.
Large Vans — Full-Time Camper Conversion Platforms
Ford Transit — The UK Conversion Workhorse
The Transit is one of the easiest vans to convert thanks to widespread availability and parts support.
Why it works:
Multiple roof heights
Widely available used
Flexible layouts
Mapping your interior early helps you avoid design regrets later.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — Premium Long-Distance Comfort
A favourite for high-end conversions and motorway travel.
Benefits:
Comfortable driving position
Spacious interior
Popular with full-time vanlifers
Complex builds often begin by planning a layout that works on UK roads, especially when balancing storage and living space.
Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer & Citroën Relay — The Width Advantage
These vans are hugely popular because of their square cargo areas.
The biggest advantage is width, allowing sideways sleeping layouts that free up interior space.
Testing different bed orientations beforehand can dramatically improve comfort.
Renault Master — The Budget Giant
Often overlooked, the Renault Master offers impressive interior space at a competitive used price.
Ideal for:
Budget full-time builds
DIY conversions
Spacious interiors
Planning ahead helps maximise its generous dimensions and avoid wasted space.
Alternative Campervan Bases That Work Brilliantly in the UK
Ex-ambulances are incredibly tough vehicles designed for heavy electrical loads.
Pros:
Pre-installed wiring systems
Durable construction
Unique interiors
Their unusual layouts make it especially useful to test your campervan layout ideas before starting a build.
Luton box vans provide huge interior volume and over-cab sleeping areas.
Advantages:
Massive storage potential
Fixed beds without losing living space
Often cheaper than traditional camper bases
Experimenting with layouts early helps you make the most of the extra space.
Old minibuses can be transformed into spacious campervans by removing seats and building custom interiors.
Great for:
Family builds
Social layouts
Creative DIY designs
Because of their long interiors, many converters prefer to map out their layout before buying a van or committing to a final design.
Buying a Used Van for Camper Conversion in the UK
Condition matters more than brand.
Before buying any van, check:
Full service history
Rust around arches and sills
Suspension wear
Signs of heavy trade use
Water leaks or roof damage
Planning your interior early also helps estimate realistic payload and storage needs.
Campervan Layout Planning
Fixed Bed Layouts
Best suited to large vans and long-term travel. Provide permanent sleeping space and large storage underneath.
Rock-and-Roll Bed Layouts
Popular in medium vans, offering daytime seating and night-time sleeping.
Convertible Micro Camper Layouts
Ideal for small vans where beds fold away to maximise space.
If you’re unsure which layout suits you, it helps to see what actually fits inside your van before committing to a final design.
Campervan Conversion Costs in the UK
Typical build costs vary depending on size and equipment:
Micro camper builds: around £1,000 to £5,000Medium van conversions: roughly £5,000 to £15,000Large off-grid builds: around £10,000 to £30,000+
Planning layouts beforehand can help estimate materials and avoid unnecessary spending.
If you're working with a smaller budget, our guide to the cheapest vans to convert into campervans UK shows realistic low-cost options that still make brilliant builds.
UK Legal Basics for Camper Conversions
A converted van can be used as a campervan without changing its body type classification, provided it remains roadworthy and insured correctly.
Many builders focus on safety, weight limits and insurance rather than reclassification paperwork.
The Truth About Finding the “Best” Campervan Base
There isn’t a single perfect van.
Some people build incredible homes inside humble work vans. Others spend months searching for the ideal Transporter or Sprinter. The best used van is simply the one that fits your budget, your driving style and your vision for adventure.
Because in the end, the goal isn’t finding the perfect van, it’s finding one that gets you out exploring Britain more often.
Explore more guides on VanLife.uk for UK-specific camper conversion advice, layout ideas, electrics, insulation tips and real-world vanlife inspiration.
