The Ultimate Van Guide
A list of the most common LCV’s, vans and delivery vehicles for courier work
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Couriers need delivery vehicles. It’s a simple fact. You can try doing the job on foot if you want, but your range and load capacity will be limited. And that’s why most couriers in the UK right now use vans.
For that reason, we’ve created a guide of some of the best vehicles for courier work that are currently available to choose from, along with some of the good and bad points to each category and variant.
Vehicle Wheelbase Sizes and Gross Vehicle Weights (GVW)
One thing that we should draw your attention to from the start. Van sizes are typically based around ‘wheelbases’ and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). These are a way of categorising the length of the chassis the vehicle is built upon, and the maximum authorised weight the vehicle is allowed to be once loaded.
The problem with this is that sometimes it causes confusion. That’s because all sizes of vans come with different wheelbases. For example, you can get a long-wheelbase small van, and a short wheelbase large van.
We’ve tried to break our list down into sections to make it easier to understand the van sizes and platforms available.
Table of Contents
Small Vans
Documents and small packages make up a large portion of courier jobs. This is where small vans become the essential delivery vehicles to have. There are plenty of models to choose from too. The good thing for anyone looking for a van like this, is that there are hardly any bad choices. Most of these vans will make a great choice for your company.
Citroen Berlingo
- Buy new from £16,680 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 654-1002Kg
- Load lengths from 1817mm - 2167mm
This is now Citroen’s smallest van offering, since they dropped the ultra-small ‘Nemo’ from their range.
Fiat Fiorino
- Buy new from £16,680 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 654-1002Kg
- Load lengths from 1817mm - 2167mm
This is Fiat’s version of Citroens Nemo (now discontinued). It’s tiny, but efficient. You’ll be able to park this thing in the smallest of spaces when working in city centres
Fiat Doblo
- Buy new from £16,680 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 654-1002Kg
- Load lengths from 1817mm - 2167mm
This is Fiat’s version of Citroens Nemo (now discontinued). It’s tiny, but efficient. You’ll be able to park this thing in the smallest of spaces when working in city centres
Ford Transit Connect
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
The larger sibling of Ford’s small van range, of which it has a few options (although we’ve not included the Fiesta Van in our selection).
Ford Transit Courier
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Mercedes Citan
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Peugeot Partner
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
The larger sibling of Ford’s small van range, of which it has a few options (although we’ve not included the Fiesta Van in our selection).
Vauxhall Combo
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Midi Vans
Documents and small packages make up a large portion of courier jobs. This is where small vans become the essential delivery vehicles to have. There are plenty of models to choose from too. The good thing for anyone looking for a van like this, is that there are hardly any bad choices. Most of these vans will make a great choice for your company.
Citroen Dispatch
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
The larger sibling of Ford’s small van range, of which it has a few options (although we’ve not included the Fiesta Van in our selection).
Fiat Talento
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Ford Transit Custom
- Buy new from £23,090 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 695-1469Kg
- Load lengths from 2554mm - 3404mm
The Ford Transit Custom is one of the most popular mid-size vans for couriers. It can handle basic pallet work, which gives it an advantage over smaller vans like the Connect, but isn’t as much of a challenge around city centres as the larger Transit.
Mercedes Vito
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
The larger sibling of Ford’s small van range, of which it has a few options (although we’ve not included the Fiesta Van in our selection).
Peugeot Expert
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Vauxhall Vivaro
- Buy new from £23,090 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 695-1469Kg
- Load lengths from 2554mm - 3404mm
The Ford Transit Custom is one of the most popular mid-size vans for couriers. It can handle basic pallet work, which gives it an advantage over smaller vans like the Connect, but isn’t as much of a challenge around city centres as the larger Transit.
SWB (Short Wheelbase) Vans
Documents and small packages make up a large portion of courier jobs. This is where small vans become the essential delivery vehicles to have. There are plenty of models to choose from too. The good thing for anyone looking for a van like this, is that there are hardly any bad choices. Most of these vans will make a great choice for your company.
Citroen Relay L1
- Buy new from £24,735 + VAT
- Diesel Engine Only in 2020, Electric version due
- Payloads from 1125-1425Kg
- Load lengths from 2670mm - 4070mm
The baby in the Relay range is one of the most capable delivery vehicles. Using a 2.2Hdi engine with 120hp means it’s got plenty of power to cope with the size/weights you’d be working with. The same engine is used across the range and is generally well received.
The 90 litre fuel tank in the Relay range, coupled with steady driving, should mean excellent range (>650 miles with ease on a tank).
Citroens aren’t generally the most luxurious build quality, but this is a work-horse not your Sunday best.
Fiat Ducato L1
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Ford Transit L1
- Buy new from £23,090 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 695-1469Kg
- Load lengths from 2554mm - 3404mm
The Ford Transit Custom is one of the most popular mid-size vans for couriers. It can handle basic pallet work, which gives it an advantage over smaller vans like the Connect, but isn’t as much of a challenge around city centres as the larger Transit.
Mercedes Sprinter L1
- Buy new from £24,735 + VAT
- Diesel Engine Only in 2020, Electric version due
- Payloads from 1125-1425Kg
- Load lengths from 2670mm - 4070mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Peugeot Boxer L1
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Vauxhall Movano L1
- Buy new from £23,090 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 695-1469Kg
- Load lengths from 2554mm - 3404mm
The Ford Transit Custom is one of the most popular mid-size vans for couriers. It can handle basic pallet work, which gives it an advantage over smaller vans like the Connect, but isn’t as much of a challenge around city centres as the larger Transit.
MWB (Medium Wheelbase) Vans
The perfect choice for those who like to sit on the fence. The Goldie-Locks option. Because the MWB van is not too long, but not too short (actually that’s all down to the work you do – so sometimes it might be too short). It’s also able to carry more load weight by shedding some of its own body weight compared to the LWB and XLWB variants.
Citroen Relay L2
- Buy new from £24,735 + VAT
- Diesel Engine Only in 2020, Electric version due
- Payloads from 1125-1425Kg
- Load lengths from 2670mm - 4070mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Fiat Ducato L2
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Ford Transit L2
- Buy new from £23,090 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 695-1469Kg
- Load lengths from 2554mm - 3404mm
The Ford Transit Custom is one of the most popular mid-size vans for couriers. It can handle basic pallet work, which gives it an advantage over smaller vans like the Connect, but isn’t as much of a challenge around city centres as the larger Transit.
Mercedes Sprinter L2
- Buy new from £24,735 + VAT
- Diesel Engine Only in 2020, Electric version due
- Payloads from 1125-1425Kg
- Load lengths from 2670mm - 4070mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Peugeot Boxer L2
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Vauxhall Movano L2
- Buy new from £23,090 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 695-1469Kg
- Load lengths from 2554mm - 3404mm
The Ford Transit Custom is one of the most popular mid-size vans for couriers. It can handle basic pallet work, which gives it an advantage over smaller vans like the Connect, but isn’t as much of a challenge around city centres as the larger Transit.
LWB (Long Wheelbase) Vans
Okay I know what you’re all going to start saying now. The Long and Extra-Long Wheelbase Van categories, aka LWB and XLWB, are actually a real headache for couriers to understand. And it’s a very annoying repetitive conversation to have.
You see it’s basically comes down to two things 1) The classification that manufactuers put their vans into and 2) The way courier work websites classify their requirements for vehicles/loads.
On services like CX, an LWB van is measured UP TO 4m. But Mercedes class their LWB as a 4.3m van, which puts it into everyone elses XLWB category.
Yes, it’s confusing. Yes, it’s annoying. But for now, we all have to learn to deal with it. Until such time that the Websites and van-manufacturers get together and agree on something.
Citroen Relay L3
- Buy new from £24,735 + VAT
- Diesel Engine Only in 2020, Electric version due
- Payloads from 1125-1425Kg
- Load lengths from 2670mm - 4070mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Fiat Ducato L3
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Ford Transit L3
- Buy new from £23,090 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 695-1469Kg
- Load lengths from 2554mm - 3404mm
The Ford Transit Custom is one of the most popular mid-size vans for couriers. It can handle basic pallet work, which gives it an advantage over smaller vans like the Connect, but isn’t as much of a challenge around city centres as the larger Transit.
Mercedes Sprinter L2
- Buy new from £24,735 + VAT
- Diesel Engine Only in 2020, Electric version due
- Payloads from 1125-1425Kg
- Load lengths from 2670mm - 4070mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Peugeot Boxer L3
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Vauxhall Movano L3
- Buy new from £23,090 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Electric variants
- Payloads from 695-1469Kg
- Load lengths from 2554mm - 3404mm
The Ford Transit Custom is one of the most popular mid-size vans for couriers. It can handle basic pallet work, which gives it an advantage over smaller vans like the Connect, but isn’t as much of a challenge around city centres as the larger Transit.
XLWB (Extra-Long Wheelbase) Vans
Documents and small packages make up a large portion of courier jobs. This is where small vans become the essential delivery vehicles to have. There are plenty of models to choose from too. The good thing for anyone looking for a van like this, is that there are hardly any bad choices. Most of these vans will make a great choice for your company.
Citroen Relay L4
- Buy new from £24,735 + VAT
- Diesel Engine Only in 2020, Electric version due
- Payloads from 1125-1425Kg
- Load lengths from 2670mm - 4070mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Fiat Ducato L4
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Ford’s micro-sized van. Slightly larger load space than a Fiesta van but actually built on a dedicated van chassis instead of adapted from a car.
Ford Transit L4
- Buy new from £33,955.83 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid variants
- Payloads from 1001-1022Kg
- Load lengths from 3044mm - 4217mm
Once known as ‘The Jumbo’, Ford seems to have tried to drop that name in favour of just using the L4 tag that most extra-long wheelbase vans use. This is a 4-pallet rated van, and if you get the ‘Trend’ model they have a plastic flooring that makes sliding pallets in and out a lot easier. But remember to use straps or goods tend to move around in transit.
The big Transit is a strong and versatile beast. It carries slightly less weight than the Citroen/Fiat/Peugeot range, but more than the Mercedes/VW competitors in this range.
Its load space is also a perfect middle-of-the-range option as it’s longer than the C/F/P models, but slightly shorter than M/VW.
Iveco Daily
- Buy new from £24,735 + VAT
- Diesel Engine Only in 2020, Electric version due
- Payloads from 1125-1425Kg
- Load lengths from 2670mm - 4070mm
Details to follow soon
Mercedes Sprinter L3
- Buy new from £16,575 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel variants
- Payloads from 579-876Kg
- Load lengths from 430mm - 660mm
Peugeot Boxer L4
- Buy new from £33,955.83 + VAT
- Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid variants
- Payloads from 1001-1022Kg
- Load lengths from 3044mm - 4217mm
Details to follow soon
More Information
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