Best minibuses 2024
Minibuses are bought for all sorts of reasons with the most popular applications being as private hire vehicles, school buses, vehicles for transporting groups of workers and transport services operated by dial-a-ride community groups.
While it's not a massive section of the UK's van market there are still over 4000 brand-new minibuses registered every year in the UK and there are about 35,000 of them on the road, meaning they have quite a following.
There are also multiple external conversion companies that offer third-party modifications such as for passengers with reduced mobility.
Here are the best minibuses on sale today.
Best minibuses |
Mercedes Sprinter
One of the reasons why Mercedes is a leading light in the minibus world is because the German brand has both Commercial Vehicles and Truck & Bus departments which feed into each other to develop new products. The multipurpose Mercedes Sprinter is sold by both divisions so is therefore available as a minibus both in the smaller 3.5-tonne sector and also the larger 5.0-tonne one. The quality of the vans is excellent but if buying secondhand make sure you get the correct one to suit your licence.
Iveco Daily
Iveco vans may not be the last word in refinement but if you want a sturdy and reliable vehicle that's good at getting the job done then the Iveco Daily is just the ticket. It's also a very popular vehicle with converters, which means that as well as factory minibuses, the Iveco daily is available as a number of specialists conversions including low access, disabled transport and mini coach derivatives, sometimes with up to 30 seats.
Renault Trafic
Renault is one of the few remaining companies to offer an in-house minibus derivative of its medium panel van, offered in both 9 and 12-seater guises, depending on whether you go for short or long wheelbase. The Renault Trafic is a strong and reliable van and is our preferred option for those who don't need a larger, heavy-duty minibus or require one that can be driven — subject to passenger numbers — on a standard licence.
Volkswagen Crafter
With its high-quality cabin materials and smartly presented bodywork the Volkswagen Crafter is a popular choice among small business operators who want a premium minibus that projects a strong image of their company. Yet at the same time the Volkswagen Crafter is based on a sturdy and functional 3.5-tonne panel van so is both practical and purposeful as well.
Ford Transit
That the Ford Transit is one of the UK's most popular minibuses is no surprise because the multifunctional model does everything you could possibly ask of it. The majority of Ford Transit minibuses begin their lives as fleet or rental vehicles but it's a particularly popular choice secondhand with a variety of seating layouts ranging from 9 to 17 seats. Like all Ford Transits, it's a dependable vehicle that's relatively inexpensive to run.
Fiat Ducato
Conversions are a large part of Fiat's van business and the Fiat Ducato is the driving force behind that — more Fiat Ducatos are sold as conversions than are sold as standard panel vans with many of them ending up as camper vans and several others being turned into multi-passenger vehicles. Factory approved minibuses are among them, as well as a range of external conversions that see Fiat Ducato minibuses with up to 17 seats.
Maxus eDeliver 9
There aren't a huge number of electric minibuses to choose from on the market at the moment largely due to the limitations posed by limited battery range. However, they are becoming more popular in areas where zero-emissions vehicles are preferred or mandated and Maxus has seen a real opportunity here, by offering a factory approved all-electric minibus conversion. Like the Maxus eDeliver 9 van on which it is based, it's competent in all areas.
MAN TGE
The MAN TGE is sold alongside its bus and truck ranges which means it’s primarily focused on heavy commercial applications. It’s not a well-known van among more ordinary consumers but that’s good news for second-hand buyers as its relative obscurity means its comparably cheaper than the Volkswagen Crafter on which it’s based, yet is equally smart and capable.
What licence do I need to drive a minibus?
This depends on two factors — when you passed your driving test and whether you are driving it for work. For those who passed their before 1 January 1997, you’ll most likely have the D1 entitlement already on your licence This means you can drive minibuses with up to 17 passengers but not for hire or reward.
Those who passed on or after 1 January 1997 will not automatically have a full minibus licence and can only drive vehicles with up to nine passenger seats. To drive a larger minibus or to drive one for hire and reward you need to get a D1 licence which requires you to pass a test.
Are minibuses safe?
Most minibuses are considered safe but do bear in mind that unlike modern MPVs and larger cars, there are no special considerations in respect of safety for individual passengers. It is also now the law for all passengers in a minibus to wear seat belts at all times.
What are the speed limits for a minibus?
Somewhat unusually the speed limits for minibuses are higher than for the vans on which they're based as they meet the criteria of passenger vehicles. That means up to 60mph on single carriageway roads and 70mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
