Best ULEZ-compliant used vans 2024
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If you regularly travel around or within the M25 then you’ll need a van that complies with the capital’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone — that's ULEZ for short.
The legislation was introduced in 2019 with its reach expanded in 2021 and again in 2023. It's aim is to improve air quality in the capital by reducing the number of hydrocarbons people breathe in. While ULEZ has caused controversy particularly among motoring groups, it’s here to say.
For second-hand van buyers this presents a conundrum as most older vans don’t meet the requirements of ULEZ at all while others that do aren't immediately obvious. The Euro 6 emissions standard is the minimum requirement for ULEZ compliance but 2015 and 2018 Euro 6 level vans were sold alongside incompatible Euro 5 examples.
If you’re buying a van of that age then check the paperwork carefully to ensure the model you are buying is fully compliant with the legislation.
Here are the 10 best ULEZ-compliant used vans you can buy today.
Best ULEZ-compliant used vans |
Nissan e-NV200
The Nissan e-NV200 was one of the first mainstream electric vans and was on sale from 2014, making it one of only a few plug-in models that’s affordable and prolific on the second-hand market. It doesn’t have the range or technology of newer EVs but if you want an older van that’s not only ULEZ-compliant but also zero emissions, then it has quite a lot of appeal — plus it costs pennies to run.
Mercedes Vito
As well as being smooth and quite car-like to drive, the Mercedes Vito is will carry a maximum payload of 1350kg — impressive for its modest size. All Mercedes Vitos built after September 2016 meet Euro 6 emissions standards, along with a handful of models built prior to this. Check the emissions class on the V5C registration document before buying.
Iveco Daily
Iveco was one of the first manufacturers of large vans to be ULEZ-friendly, with 2.3- and 3.0-litre diesel versions being Euro 6-compliant from 2016. When buying used you'll need to specifically look for Iveco Dailys with a mixed EGR and SCR system as only these models meet Euro 6 regulations.
Renault Kangoo
The Renault Kangoo is a great small van that’s ideal for urban use as its low roof means you’ll easily slot it into multi-storey car parks or even domestic garages. Those registered after July 2016 meet Euro 6 emission sstandards and they’re also really quite frugal — over 60mpg is possible if you don’t drive too hard.
Ford Transit Custom
If you want a previous-generation example of the Ford Transit Custom then you need to seek out a 2.0-litre EcoBlue turbo diesel rather than the older 2.2-litre TDCi engines. The EcoBlue units were introduced in 2017 and return an official 46.3mpg as well as complying with Euro 6 standards. Buy with caution as this is a 'wet belt' engine that requires regular cambelt changes — make sure it has been done recently before parting with your cash.
Peugeot Boxer
The Peugeot Boxer is one of the biggest used vans you can buy with a Euro 6-compliant engine but you’ll need it to be one of the 2016-on BlueHDi models — if there's no Blue-prefix to the HDi name, it's not ULEZ-friendly.. It’s a huge van yet it's surprisingly refined and frugal for such a big beast — the 110PS model returns an impressive 47.1mg unladen.
Vauxhall Vivaro
The previous-generation Vauxhall Vivaro is one of only a few older vans to be ULEZ-compliant making it a sought-after choice for those who can’t run to the latest Vivaro. It’s spacious and functional with a 1.3-tonne payload. Be careful though — it’s only examples made from mid-2016 onwards that are ULEZ-friendly, so check the V5C registration document for the emissions class before you buy.
Volkswagen Transporter
As well as being refined and comfortable by commercial vehicle standards, the T6-generation Volkswagen Transporter is Euro 6-compliant if you go for a post-2016 model. It’s also easy to use, efficient and capable of carrying a useful maximum payload of 1.3 tonnes.
Citroen Berlingo
Most older vans aren’t ULEZ-friendly because they have diesel engine technology that doesn’t comply with Euro 6 legislation. All is not lost if you can’t afford a newer van and need to access the ULEZ zone because the earliest examples of the Citroen Berlingo were also offered with a 1.4-litre petrol engine — and petrol engines only need to meet Euro 4 emissions criteria in order to enter the capital without the penalty. These petrol Citroen Berlingos are keenly sought-after as a result.
LEVC VN5
The LEVC VN5 gets around the ULEZ conundrum in a way that defies convention by using a range-extending electrical system. This can power it for 61 miles on pure electricity or up to 301 miles when operated in unison with its three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine. The engine never propels the van as it's purely there as an on-board generator, using exactly the same low-emissions tech that powers the LEVC TX taxi on which its based. Don’t be too surprised if people try to hail a ride if you’re delivering in the capital.
What is the ULEZ charge and where does it operate?
The ULEZ charge was introduced in 2019 and extended both in 2021 and 2023 to cover more or less all of London. Within the zone any vehicle that does not comply with emissions criteria set down by Transport for London (TfL) has to either pay a daily emissions charge of £12.50 or risk a fine of £80, with most ULEZ routes enforced by cameras. Other cities in the UK that operate Clean Air Zones use similar criteria.
What are the criteria for complying with the ULEZ?
For diesel-powered cars and most vans the ULEZ criteria is that a vehicle must comply with the Euro 6 emissions standard — most diesel vehicles form 2016-onwards meet this. For petrol models they need to be Euro 4-compliant and the cut-off is generally older, with a lot of post-2005 petrol models meeting the target.
How do I know if my van is compliant or not?
It’s very easy to check if your van is compliant with ULEZ or not — there’s a handy online TfL checker.
