Like our vans, our guide is designed to drive your business forward quickly and purposefully, so that you make the right choice for your needs and budget.
Find out how a van fits into your business offering and explore the different types available. And, to help you get the best return for your business, you can also discover the most tax-efficient way to buy.
A commercial vehicle is defined by how it serves your business – you can use it to transport cargo, people or equipment. Looking at specific van details, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) can weigh up to 3,500kg including payload, and there are several different van types to choose from. So you can easily choose the one that best suits your business needs. Let’s take a look at the different types of LCVs:
| Business Use | Van Solution |
| Efficient transport for logistics, parcel deliveries, or field service teams. | Panel Van |
| Deploying small teams with tools and materials to remote or rugged locations. | Crew Van |
| Moving bulk quantities of boxed or palletized goods, often for commercial delivery. | Box/Luton Van |
| Transporting large or bulky items with frequent loading and unloading needs. | Dropside Van |
| Hauling loose materials like gravel, sand, or garden waste with fast unloading. | Tipper Van |
| Term | Definition | What it includes |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | The maximum legal weight of the vehicle when fully loaded. |
Vehicle, driver passengers, fuel and cargo. |
| Gross Combination Weight (GCW) or Gross Train Weight (GTW) | The maximum legal weight of the vehicle, plus any trailer and load being towed. | GVW, plus trailer, plus trailer load. |
| Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) | An alternative term, sometimes used in driving licence rules and vehicle classifications (Category B covers up to 3.5 tonnes MAM). | Same as GVW (for solo vehicles) or GCW (for vehicle towing trailer). |
| Kerb weight | The weight of the vehicle itself, without cargo, driver or passengers. | Vehicle, plus fuel and standard equipment. |
| Payload | The maximum weight of cargo the vehicle can legally carry. | GVW, minus kerb weight. |
By far the most popular choice of van on our roads, thanks to the wide variety of designs, sizes, roof heights and wheelbases available. Their flexibility makes them popular with buyers from all sorts of different trades. The standard panel van comes without side or rear windows, which aids both security and van livery options. But they’re also a popular base for van life or styling conversions.
Choose your panel van from the following Mercedes-Benz models:
As the name suggests, if getting to the job in hand involves transporting a team of more than three, plus their kit, then a crew van is often the answer. The larger designs will accommodate three people upfront, with a further three or four behind, plus extra loadspace in the rear.
Mercedes-Benz crew vans include:
On a tipper van, the flatbed can be lifted from the front end using a hydraulic arm. This allows for the easy unloading of aggregates, sand and other loose materials. Combined with their robust build, it makes the Sprinter Tipper a popular choice within the building and landscaping industries.
Find out more about the Sprinter Tipper.
MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles), also known as people carriers, are designed to be versatile – adept at transporting both people and cargo. The Vito Tourer can transport up to nine people in complete comfort, making it the ‘go-to’ option for taxi firms doing airport runs or taking the school netball team to an away match.
Find out more about the Vito Tourer and eVito Tourer.
Many people, tradespeople in particular, wouldn’t be able to operate their business effectively without the use of a van. And buying a van through your business offers tax advantages. The amount you can claim back can differ, however, depending on whether you operate as a sole trader or a limited company.
Buying a van through a limited company can be straightforward, whereas purchasing a van as a sole trader may require you to take out loans and work with an accountant to understand exactly how much you can claim back.
In any event, all the paperwork must be in your company’s name and all the payments must go through your business bank account.
Discover our latest van finance offers
Buying a van for personal use instead? Take a look at the full Mercedes-Benz van range.
Buying a van through a limited company will usually offer more tax advantages than if you’re buying as a sole trader. This is because vans count as plant and machinery for tax purposes, allowing you to claim up to 100% of the cost against your capital allowance. This means you can deduct the full price of the van from your company profits before calculating corporation tax.
And if your company is VAT-registered, you can claim back the VAT paid on the purchase. You may also be able to claim for other operating costs, including:
• Vehicle insurance
• Fuel
• Repairs and servicing
• Parking
• Breakdown cover
• Vehicle licence fees
You’ve chosen your van type. Decided on new or used. And worked out the most tax-efficient way to buy. So perhaps it’s time to take the last step. At Mercedes-Benz Vans, we deliver reliability, quality, the latest technology and lasting value – helping you work smarter and drive success with confidence across all your commercial needs. As soon as you’re ready to make your purchase, visit our Online Showroom to view available models, discover our latest offers and reserve online today.