What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

Conversions – Suppliers 2018

Date: Sunday, December 29, 2019

As a result about four out of five vans on the road have been converted in some form, although that figure is not necessarily reflected in the number registered as conversions because some modifications - such as additional racks and storage solutions - will have been undertaken by the operators themselves. But customers are increasingly seeking bespoke solutions at the point of purchase rather than taking the basic van and getting the work done themselves once it’s in their possession.

There has been a shift towards approved conversions since April 2013 when European Whole Vehicle Type Approval legislation came into force to encompass the safety requirements for panel vans, chassis cabs and platform cabs.

Conversions are examined and approved by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

The Van Enhancement Scheme relieves operators of the administrative burden of achieving full Type Approval for modifications such as ply-lining and basic racking, as they have no impact on the van's safety.

But whatever your requirements, whether you need to carry heavy building materials or are looking for a lightweight storage system for your tools, it’s important to find the solution that fits and this guide showcases some of the best products available to help you to choose your best option.