Converting a van into a camper can be a very rewarding hobby, but it's important to never lose sight of the fact that most commercial vehicles are designed to be driven huge distances over five or six years before being scrapped. As a result, there are lots of affordable vans on the market that are on their last mechanical legs. And if you want to convert a van then it's imperative that it's inexpensive to maintain and fix – otherwise, you’ll be stuck with an unreliable and expensive camper.

The classic route is a tricky one, because the best vans - like the Volkswagen Type 2, for example - are also among the most expensive to buy. That said, you might be able to find something small and easy to work on, like a Bedford Rascal or Suzuki Carry camper for £2000.

The Ford Transit Connect is a van we recommend regularly because it's affordable to maintain and there are lots on the used market. This means you can be quite picky when it comes to choosing a van for conversion and not have to pay through the nose for spares when it comes to general maintenance. For our Ford Transit Connect review and used buying guide, see: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/ford/transit-con.../

For general used camper van buying advice, see: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/mpvs-and-camper-vans/how-to-.../