Selecting the Right Size Van

Vanaways
Vanaways
3rd Feb 2023
Selecting the Right Size Van

So, you’re looking at buying a van – that’s great – you’ve come to the right place! But do you know what size van you need? If not, then don’t fret, as we’re here to help you out.

There’s nothing worse than buying a van only to discover when using it that it’s too small for your requirements, or find that it’s unnecessarily big for what you’re using it for. That’s why we’ve put together this brief guide with the considerations you should think about before buying your van, so that you get the right size for what you need.

Payload & Loading Space

Firstly, think about what you will be using your van for – what will the predominant contents of your van be and how much space will you need for these?

For example, if you are a tradesperson, then a small van, such as the Citroen Berlingo, will be ideal for getting around busy locations from customer to customer and parking in tight spaces, as well as being relatively affordable to run compared to a larger van. In this instance, it’s also unlikely that you’ll need a lot of loading space, with small vans offering sufficient space to store your essential tools and pieces of equipment, yet still having room for extra as and when it’s needed.

In comparison, if you plan on using your van for something like a home removal, then you will have to allow space for large pieces of furniture along with additional boxes/appliances and a mixture of smaller items – taking into consideration the weight of all this, also. In which case a large van will be essential, as this will not only offer more loading space but will also be capable of holding higher payloads. The Ford Transit is a firm favourite in the large van sector for these reasons.

Seat Requirements

Whilst most people will think about their loading requirements when choosing the size van they need, many will often overlook the consideration for seating.

Whilst this isn’t so much of an issue if you will exclusively use your van for work, if there is a possibility that you will also use it in the evenings and weekends with your family, then you may need to invest in a van a size up from what you thought you’d need in order to allow room for an extra bench of seats without compromising on loading space.

Similarly, if you’re planning to enter the world of taxi driving (in which case you’ll need a taxi-driver licence), then you’ll need to think about whether you’ll offer your services to smaller or larger groups. It may also be worth considering if a van comes with multiple length options, should you want extra room to be able to have space for wheelchair users.

Vans UK

Whether you’re looking for the ideal van to suit your needs or already have a specific one in mind and are in search of the best van deals, look no further than Van Sales UK.

We stock a vast range of new vans to buy, offering these on zero deposit, low rate finance. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our stock and services.

Vanaways Reviews

   
John Owens

John Owens

17 October 2025

"Fantastic service from start to finish. Liam took the time to listen to the vehicle that I wanted. Within 2 weeks the right vehicle was sourced and delivered Joe was on point with work out the logistics and taking care of my part ex with exception customer service Thank you both"

Sarah Ward

Sarah Ward

01 September 2025

"We have used Vanaways on two occasions now and the customer service has always been great. I contacted them as our team grew and withing 2 weeks we had the vans in our yard. Quick and efficient service all round. Tyler in the delivery department kept me up to date throughout the process. Would certainly recommend."

Stal

Stal

31 October 2025

"Staff here are so courteous & helpful, genuine in how they talk rather than that dreaded ‘business speak’. Reception and offices are modern & relaxing to be in, very cool music in background too! Some place just give you the basics - but I found Vanaways completely charming throughout, really appreciated thank you."

Charlie B

Charlie B

28 May 2025

"I recently bought a new Ranger Platinum from Vanaways. I dealt with Chris Baxter who helped make the whole process really straight forward and kept me up to date. I would highly recommend and look forward to further business! Many thanks"

Michael Orimogunje

Michael Orimogunje

03 October 2025

"Vanaways is really great, from contacting them up to the delivery can't be smoother than it was. These guys are professionals and I believe the best in the industry. Thanks to Philip Jones, Ross Davies, Jihad Khan and one or two individuals I had contact with throughout the process. I recommend Vanaways and will use them again."

4.8 out of 5 from 471 reviews
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