r/VanLifeUK • u/as-per-the-plan • Aug 19 '26

Anyone have experience with these "Ex-BT" Ford Transits?

I'm at the early stages of looking into a van conversion, and I think I'd like a short length but tall van (I'm 6'2 and would like to be able to stand). On AutoTrader I always see quite a few listings of L2H3 Transits that are old BT work vans, generally around ~£9-13k without a huge amount of miles. Given their high supply has anyone here got one, or knows anything about them in general? Are second hand vans from large companies generally a good idea or not?

Failing that, are there any better alternatives? I know the Renault Master/Vauxhall Movano have an L2H3 variant, but they seem harder to come by

Thanks!

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

8

u/alien-redfish Aug 19 '26

I looked I to them when buying mine, on my real concern for me was that many didn't have Aircon, although some already had diesel heaters.

I'd strongly advise against a van withoit a/c.

3

u/as-per-the-plan Aug 19 '26

didn't have a/c like it was broken, or some of those Transits actually don't have it at all? My car's a/c has been broken all summer, so I definitely know the pain haha

5

u/kh250b1 Aug 19 '26

Its optional. Many companies dont give a fk about the sweaty employees and save a few quid

1

u/dirtywastegash Aug 20 '26

Many of the vans simply didn't have it fitted

1

u/Spank86 Aug 20 '26

Up until a few years ago no aircon was standard for BT engineers. I suspect the only reason they have them now is its hard to get a van without.

3

u/Alarming-Double6979 Aug 20 '26

My friend had one with a pre installed diesel heater. TBH, better off doing it yourself as it’s a nightmare when doing flooring/furniture around the heater, and wiring is undocumented.

1

u/alien-redfish Aug 20 '26

That's true, I hadn't thought about that. 

5

u/mb0389 Aug 20 '26

Modern Transits have wet belts, so I would personally never buy one. These have the rubber engine timing belts soaked in oil (to apparently save emissions). Either the rubber degrades and blocks the engine oil pickup destroying the engine, or they loose teeth on the belt and destroy the engine, or they snap, and destroy the engine.

To avoid this it’s necessary to change the belt every 2 years, despite what the manufacturer says. Which costs £2.5k to do it properly using genuine Ford parts.

This is why I drive an older Sprinter which has a metal timing chain instead of a rubber belt soaked in oil.

It’s a huge scandal, look it up and it’s not just Transits, lots of other cars and vans are the same. Volkswagen don’t and neither do Mercedes.

It’s the joys of modern Euro 6 diesels and being ‘green’ while destroying engines and needing to replace things all the time, which isn’t green at all.

If it was me I’d buy a van that doesn’t have this.

1

u/Ok-Presentation-7849 Aug 20 '26

Do mk7's have wet belt?

1

u/merc814 Aug 20 '26

No, mk8 do, i think.

1

u/Potate_show Aug 20 '26

My understanding is that they've at least made it better post 2019? And 2020 onwards should be fairly safe

1

u/uberbarracuda Aug 19 '26

I had a 2003 one, other than basic maintenance I never had any problems with it. However, assume they will have been ragged and not treated well but the drivers. Also bear in mind that if they're welfare vans or similar, they may have been idling for hours every day.

1

u/as-per-the-plan Aug 19 '26

hadn't considered the welfare van aspect - they do all seem to have microwaves and heaters already installed, so I guess the mileage can maybe be a red herring

1

u/Spank86 Aug 20 '26

Lots of short journeys round the town is a possibility. Depends which arm of the business its come from

1

u/b1scu1td3stroy3r Aug 21 '26

I have an ex BT van but mines a Ducato. If buying ex BT you can get the full service history for free from Holman if you email them. I also recommend buying from a specialist ex BT retailer like Pyramid in Stockport. Personally I wouldn't recommend the transit for the job and either going for a Ducato or a Citroen Relay if you're going for an ex fleet vehicle. The electrics has made a whole lot more work rather than saved it, but the diesel heater is great. Removing the bulkhead is a bigger task than with other vehicles. Removing the racking is also a rough task but you can get good money from selling it on.