You can buy a refrigerated van in the UK from a specialist fridge van dealer, a main van dealer, a rental or leasing company selling off its fleet, or a private seller, or have a van you already own converted. Wherever you buy, see the van reach the temperature you need before you take it, and get the warranty on the van and the fridge unit in writing.
We’ve sold fridge and freezer vans since 1976. This isn’t a league table of dealers: it’s where you can buy, what the law gives you, and what to check wherever you buy. Facts checked October 2026.
1. Where can you buy a refrigerated van?
A fridge van is an ordinary panel van that’s been insulated and fitted with a fridge unit by a converter. So whoever sells it, ask about the conversion as well as the van. See how do refrigerated vans work?
- Specialist fridge van dealers: sell new and used chiller and freezer vans. Some do their own conversions and can build a van to your spec.
- Main van dealers: franchised dealers, such as Ford or Mercedes-Benz, sell new vans converted by a fridge converter they work with. Ask who the converter is and who handles a fridge unit warranty claim.
- Rental and leasing companies: may sell vans as they come off the fleet. Ask for the fridge unit’s service records as well as the van’s.
- Private sellers: usually one used van. Online adverts can be from dealers or private sellers, so check which you’re buying from.
- Converting a van you already have: a converter can insulate your van and fit a fridge unit. See converting your own van into a fridge van.
| Seller | What they sell | Ask them | Your rights in law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist fridge van dealer | New and used chiller and freezer vans; some build to your spec | Who converted it, what temperature it holds, what the fridge unit warranty covers | Satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, as described |
| Main van dealer | New vans, converted by a converter they work with | Who the converter is, who handles a fridge warranty claim | Satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, as described |
| Rental or leasing company | Used vans coming off the fleet | Service records for the fridge unit as well as the van | Satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, as described |
| Private seller | Usually one used van | To see it reach temperature, the original V5C, a history check, any warranty left | As described, and the seller must have the right to sell it |
Your rights depend on who you buy from. When you buy from a business, such as a dealer or a fleet seller, the law says the van must be of satisfactory quality, fit for any purpose you told them about, and as described (Sale of Goods Act 1979). A private seller only has to describe it accurately and have the right to sell it, so check a private van even more carefully.
2. What temperature does it need to hold?
“Fridge van” covers anything from a chiller to a deep freezer. Ask what temperature the van holds, not just what it’s called.
- Chilled food must by law be kept at 8°C or below in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and it’s recommended in Scotland. Government guidance is to set fridges to 5°C or below (GOV.UK). A chiller van that holds 0 to +5°C does this job.
- Frozen food must by law be kept at −18°C or colder. It may rise briefly during deliveries, but no warmer than −15°C (legislation.gov.uk). So for frozen food, ask for a deep freezer.
- Lots of drops? Every time the doors open, warm air gets in. If you’ll open them often, ask about strip curtains, or a van that can run colder than you need.
Our freezer vans run at −10°C. Delivering frozen food? Ask us for a deep freezer: we build them to go down to −25°C. More in chiller van or freezer van?
3. Who converted it, and how?
- The lining: new panels, or an old lining kept, and how thick? We use 50mm on a chiller and 75mm on a freezer. Look for cracks, holes or repairs: water getting into a damaged lining means it doesn’t insulate as well.
- The fridge unit: how old it is, when it was last serviced, and what warranty it has. Ask for its service records as well as the van’s.
- Electric standby: to run the fridge from the mains with the engine off, for example to load the night before, the van needs a standby unit. It has to be fitted when the van is converted and can’t be added after, so if you need it, buy a van that already has it, and check it works. See do you need electric standby?
- Payload: a conversion adds weight, which comes off what the van can carry. On a standard car licence (category B) you can drive a petrol or diesel van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass, the most it’s allowed to weigh fully loaded, shown on its plate. See fridge van driving licence rules.
4. What should you check on the van itself?
- Pull-down: start with the load space warm and the doors shut. Watch it come down to the set temperature and stay there. If you’re told how long it takes, ask whether that was empty or loaded, and how hot it was outside.
- The lining: look for damage low down, where cages and trolleys hit it.
- Door seals: run a hand round them. They should be whole and springy, not split or flattened.
- Its history: a paid history check shows whether money is still owed on it, or it’s been written off or reported stolen. See the original V5C log book, not a copy.
- The mileage: for vans over three years old, check it fits the MOT history on GOV.UK, which shows the mileage at each test and any parts that failed.
- Clean air zones: to drive in London’s ULEZ without paying the ULEZ charge, a van up to 3.5 tonnes must meet Euro 6 if it’s diesel or Euro 4 if it’s petrol. Heavier vans come under the LEZ instead (TfL). See are you ULEZ compliant?
- Records: ask whether it has a temperature recorder. See temperature recorders and the law.
- Going abroad: ATP approval is only needed when perishable food crosses an international border, and Northern Ireland into the Republic counts. See do I need an ATP certificate?
More on what goes wrong in common problems with refrigerated vans, and on the trade-offs in new or used fridge van?
5. What happens after you pay?
- Warranty: does it cover the van and the fridge unit, for how long, and who handles a claim?
- Delivery: is it included, and what does it cost to where you are?
- Insurance: tell your insurer it’s a converted fridge van, and ask about goods in transit and refrigeration breakdown cover. See insuring a fridge van.
- Finance and part exchange: if you need either, ask before you agree a price. See hire, lease or buy a fridge van?
- Help later: who do you call if the fridge stops on a hot day?
6. Can you buy a new refrigerated van ready-built?
Yes. You can buy a new van that’s already been converted, or have one built to your spec: chiller or freezer, standby, side door, curtains, partitions and more. Either way the van comes with the manufacturer’s warranty, and the fridge unit has its own. Ask for both in writing. Our ready-built new vans are cancelled factory orders, with delivery miles. See our new fridge vans and how much a fridge van costs.
Checklist: before you buy
- You know who converted the van.
- You know the temperature it holds, and you’ve seen it get there, doors shut, before you take the van.
- The lining is undamaged and the door seals are sound.
- There are service records for the van and the fridge unit.
- No finance is owing, and you’ve seen the V5C.
- The mileage fits the MOT history.
- The payload left after conversion suits your heaviest load, and your licence covers the van’s weight.
- It meets the clean air standard where you drive.
- You have the warranty on the van and the fridge unit in writing.
- You know the full price, whether it’s plus VAT, and what delivery costs.
Our answers to those questions
So you can compare us with anyone else, here are our answers to the questions above:
| Question | Our answer |
|---|---|
| How long have you sold fridge vans? | 50 years, since 1976, in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. |
| What do you sell? | New and used chiller and freezer vans, from small city vans such as the Ford Transit Connect up to the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter. |
| Who converts them? | We do, with new insulated panels throughout: 50mm on a chiller, 75mm on a freezer. Used vans are converted and checked by our engineers before delivery. |
| What temperature do they hold? | Chillers 0 to +5°C, freezers −10°C, and deep freezers down to −25°C. |
| What’s the warranty? | On a used van, the van’s own (what’s left of the maker’s, or 12 months, which can be extended), plus 12 or 24 months on the fridge unit. On a new van, the manufacturer’s, plus the fridge unit’s. See warranty. |
| Do you deliver? | Free, anywhere in the UK, Northern Ireland included. See delivery. |
| Can I see the van first? | Yes, you’re welcome to come and see it in Burgess Hill. |
| Is there finance? | For business customers: hire purchase from a £500 +VAT deposit, subject to status, or leasing. We’re a credit broker, not a lender. See finance. |
| Do you take part exchange? | Yes. See part exchange. |
“Been purchasing vehicles from GRV for many years now, and always provided a 1st class service at fair prices.”
Roberto Q., Google review
Questions buyers ask
Where can I buy a refrigerated van in the UK?
From specialist fridge van dealers, main van dealers, rental and leasing companies selling off their fleet, and private sellers, or you can have your own van converted. Whichever you choose, ask who converted the van, what temperature it holds and what the warranty covers.
Who should I buy a used freezer van from for food deliveries?
A seller who will show you the van reaching the temperature your food needs before you take it, and who puts a warranty on the van and the fridge unit. Frozen food must be kept at −18°C or colder, so for frozen food ask for a deep freezer: ours go down to −25°C. Ask for the fridge unit’s service records too. If it’s a new food business, register it with your council at least 28 days before you start trading. See our food delivery checklist.
Is it safe to buy a fridge van privately?
It can be, but you have fewer rights: a private seller only has to describe the van accurately and have the right to sell it. Run a paid history check, see the original V5C, check the mileage against the MOT history, and watch the fridge reach temperature before you hand over any money.
Can I buy a new chiller van that’s already been built?
Yes. Main dealers and specialists may have new converted vans in stock. Ours are cancelled factory orders, with delivery miles. See our new fridge vans.
Do I have to buy from a dealer near me?
No. Ask the seller whether they deliver and what it costs. We deliver free anywhere in the UK, Northern Ireland included, and you’re welcome to see a van in Burgess Hill before you buy.
Talk to us in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, or we deliver free anywhere in the UK, Northern Ireland included. Call 01444 245555.
