A small refrigerated van is the easiest way into cold-chain deliveries: cheaper to buy and run than a bigger van, and far easier to park on a city round. Here’s what you need to know before you buy one.
Who a small fridge van suits
Small vans are built for city multi-drop work, light loads, tight streets and difficult parking. They suit florists, caterers, bakers, sandwich and meal delivery, butchers and fishmongers doing local rounds, and pharmacy deliveries. If you carry pallets or heavy loads, you’ll need a bigger van. See what size fridge van do you need?
Chiller, freezer or deep freeze?
- Chiller, 0 to 5°C: fresh food, dairy, flowers and most catering.
- Freezer, -10°C: frozen goods.
- Deep freeze, down to -25°C: ice cream and anything that must stay hard-frozen.
A bulkhead can split even a small van into two compartments. See chiller, freezer or deep freeze?
What the conversion changes
We line a chiller with 50mm of insulation and a freezer with 75mm. In a small van that’s noticeable: the load space ends up a little smaller than the bare van’s, and the lining and fridge unit add weight that comes off the payload. Compare converted vans, not brochure figures, and tell us your minimum load so we can check it.
Small fridge vans on our stock
- Mercedes-Benz Citan: new, cancelled-order vans with delivery miles, chillers from £30,495 +VAT and freezers from £31,495 +VAT. See our Mercedes Citan fridge vans.
- Ford Transit Connect: a used 2024 L2 Limited as a chiller (£22,995 +VAT) and a freezer (£23,995 +VAT). See our Ford Transit Connect fridge vans.
Prices from our stock in October 2026; see the latest on our small fridge vans and small freezer vans pages. Comparing makes? Read Vauxhall Combo vs Ford Transit Connect.
ULEZ and electric
If you drive into London, a diesel van needs to meet Euro 6 to avoid the £12.50 daily ULEZ charge; every advert shows whether the van is ULEZ compliant. Small electric vans suit town rounds with charging at base, and the government’s plug-in van grant takes up to £2,500 off some small electric vans. The scheme is funded to at least April 2027, and the government says it can close without notice. See are you ULEZ compliant? and electric fridge vans.
Running costs and reliability
The cheapest van to buy isn’t always the cheapest to own. Keep the van and the fridge unit serviced on schedule and the condenser clean, and a small fridge van will give you years of work. See how long does a refrigerated van last?
Paying for it
Finance is available for business customers from a £500 +VAT deposit, on hire purchase or lease, subject to status. We take part exchanges, and delivery is free anywhere in the UK. See finance, or call us on 01444 245555.
