The best vans for electricians

Security is a big consideration. An electrician's van can easily be carrying a couple of thousand pounds' worth of tools and a load of cable at any time. Leave that on a street overnight behind a flimsy lock and you are one bad break-in away from losing the lot, plus the time needed to replace it.

What matters

• The right size. A medium van is the sweet spot for most electricians. Enough room for racking and stock, small enough to park on a domestic street or a busy site.

• Racking and storage. An organised load area saves time on every single job. Look for a van you can rack out properly, or one that already has decent shelving fitted.

• Security. Solid locks, a sealed bulkhead and no windows in the load area all make life harder for anyone taking an interest in your van.

• Factor in the payload for the odd heavy day. Most days are light, but a run of cable drums and boards adds up, so leave yourself some headroom.

Van types that suit the work

A medium panel van covers the majority of domestic and commercial electrical work, which is why you see so many of them on the road. A small van suits mobile work, service calls and anyone doing lots of quick visits with lighter kit. And a large van makes sense for contractors carrying more equipment or working across bigger installations where the whole job travels with you.

Buying tips

Check whether any existing racking is already included as this could save you a few hundred pounds. Look at the security and budget for extra locks if the van needs them. The most important thing is to think about how you actually work day to day, then choose the size that fits it rather than the one that looks impressive on the drive.

Vangoo's platform shows the condition upfront on every van listed, so you can see exactly what you are buying.