Updated October 2026.
If new van prices have you gasping, a used van can do the same job for a lot less. Older but “new-to-you” vans make excellent work vans, and any of the models below can be fitted with shelving, racks and storage built for your trade.
Here are five pre-owned work vans that are among the best for business, plus what to check before you buy one.
1. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The Sprinter is arguably the van that brought tall cargo vans into the mainstream and pushed out traditional designs like the Ford Econoline. Over the years it has been sold under the Mercedes-Benz, Dodge and Freightliner badges, and no matter the badge, the van itself is the same.
Its high roof lets most people stand up inside, which makes it a favorite for shelving, workbenches and refrigerated conversions. Expect to pay more for a used Sprinter than for the other vans on this list.
2. Ford Transit
Ford has built some of America’s best-selling work vans for decades, and the Transit replaced the E-Series cargo van starting with the 2015 model year. It comes in low, medium and high roof heights and several lengths, so it is easy to find a used one that fits your work.
Early Transits came with a choice of three engines:
- 3.7L V6, the standard engine, rated at 275 horsepower
- 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, rated at 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque
- 3.2L Power Stroke turbo-diesel, rated at 185 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque
Transits are known for dependability and stay in high demand on the used market.
3. Ram ProMaster City
Based on the Fiat Doblò, the ProMaster City is a compact cargo van that is easy to park and cheap to run, with about 131.7 cubic feet of cargo space. It uses a 2.4L Tigershark four-cylinder rated at 178 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque.
The original ProMaster City was sold in the U.S. through the 2022 model year, so used examples are the only way to get one for now. Ram has announced a new 2027 ProMaster City, unveiled at Work Truck Week 2026.
4. Mercedes-Benz Metris
The Metris is a midsize van built with work in mind. The standard-wheelbase cargo van is 202.4 inches long with about 183 cubic feet of cargo space, which makes it a good middle ground between a compact van and a full-size Sprinter or Transit. Early models pair a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder (208 horsepower) with a 7-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive.
Mercedes-Benz stopped selling the Metris in the U.S. after 2023, so today it is a used-only option.
5. Chevrolet Express
The Express is one of the last old-fashioned, body-on-frame work vans built on truck underpinnings. Its design has barely changed since 1996, so it looks less modern than the others, but it remains a popular workhorse with V8 engine options for heavy hauling and towing.
Because so little has changed over the years, an older Express in good condition gives you much of the same capability as a newer one for less money. With proper maintenance, even high-mileage vans can keep working for a long time.
What to check before you buy a used work van
- Service records. A fleet van with documented oil changes and repairs is usually a safer buy than a lower-mileage van with no history.
- Rust. Look under the van, around the rear and sliding doors, and at the wheel wells, especially on vans from salted-road states.
- Holes from an old upfit. Former shelving and racks leave mounting holes in the floor, walls and roof. Check that they were sealed and that no rust has started around them.
- Payload. Subtract the van’s curb weight from its GVWR to see what it can carry. Shelving, racks and refrigeration all use part of that payload before you load a single tool.
- Roof height and wheelbase. These decide what shelving and partitions will fit and whether you can stand inside.
- Open recalls. Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup before you buy.
Used work van FAQ
Which used work van is best for my business?
It depends on what you carry and where you drive. Compact and midsize vans like the ProMaster City and Metris suit city routes and lighter loads. Full-size, high-roof vans like the Sprinter and Transit suit trades that need standing room, long shelving runs or a workbench. The Express suits heavy loads and towing.
Can you upfit a used van?
Yes. We upfit the van you already own, new or used, and we can help you choose the right van before you buy. Send us the make, model, year, wheelbase and roof height and we will confirm what fits.
Customize your pre-owned work van
Commercial Van Solutions can turn your new-to-you van into a better organized, safer and more efficient workspace, with custom van shelving, cabinets and storage and ladder racks installed at our shop in Lancaster, PA. Contact us today for a quote.