The Platform

T5 to T7 - Know Your Van

Four generations, two platforms, one decision that shapes everything that comes after. A quick guide to what matters.

For most UK camper buyers, a Euro 6 T6 is the safest starting point. A T5 can make sense if budget matters more than clean air zones. A T6.1 is the newer, more polished version of the same familiar platform. The newer T7-era vans are interesting, but the camper conversion market is still learning them.

This page covers the T5, T6, T6.1, and T7 as base vehicles for campervan conversions: panel vans and kombi variants that get stripped and rebuilt by specialist converters. If you're looking at the VW California, that's a different product entirely: a factory-built campervan with a fixed specification and a much higher price tag. It's an excellent vehicle, but the buying process, the decisions, and the budget are all quite different from commissioning a bespoke conversion, which is what CamperDNA is built for.

The modern conversion market runs almost entirely on T5 onwards. The T5, T6 and T6.1 share the same basic body dimensions, conversion ecosystem and parts supply chain. Roof kits, bed systems, furniture profiles and specialist knowledge all transfer between them. The newest Transporter takes the nameplate in a new direction on a shared Ford platform, and the conversion ecosystem is still catching up.

2003 - 2015 Not ULEZ

VW T5

Older, cheaper, still very usable

Price guide£10k-30k

Engine1.9 / 2.5 / 2.0 TDI

EmissionsEuro 4 / 5

DSG availableFrom 2010 (T5.1)

The van that launched the modern campervan scene. The T5 is plentiful, affordable, and thoroughly proven. Your entire conversion budget stretches further, and the parts and specialist ecosystem around it is enormous.

The 2.0 TDI four-cylinder (introduced with the 2010 T5.1 facelift) is the engine to look for: simpler than the older five-cylinder 2.5 TDI, strong enough for a loaded camper, and understood by any competent mechanic. The earlier 1.9 TDI is similarly durable but feels its age on motorways. Pre-facelift models (2003-2009) are Euro 4; the T5.1 (2010-2015) is Euro 5 - but neither is ULEZ-compliant. Check clean air zone coverage maps if London, Birmingham, Bristol, or Bath are in your plans.

Best for

Buyers who want maximum conversion budget for a given total spend, or who aren't going anywhere near a ULEZ zone.

2015 - 2019 ULEZ compliant*

VW T6

Modern enough, proven enough

Price guide£20k-45k

Engine2.0 TDI

EmissionsEuro 6*

DSG available150PS (opt) / 204PS (std)

A substantial mechanical update on the T5 platform - same body shell, modernised engines, and Euro 6 emissions compliance. That last point matters most. Check the V5 carefully: vans built before the summer 2016 factory changeover are Euro 5 (N1 commercial vehicles were not required to meet Euro 6 until September 2016). Only models registered from that date onward are genuinely ULEZ-compliant.

The 2.0 TDI 150PS is the sweet spot for a conversion - strong, efficient, and available with the 7-speed DSG automatic (standard on the 204PS, optional on the 150PS). The T6 remains the backbone of the professional conversion industry: broad second-hand stock, proven build quality, and a well-understood conversion process.

Best for

Buyers who want Euro 6 compliance, modern running gear, and the broadest choice of second-hand stock at a sensible price.

2019 - 2024 ULEZ compliant

VW T6.1

The newest version of the old shape

Price guide£30k-£55k+

Engine2.0 TDI

EmissionsEuro 6

CarPlayHighline std.

Same platform as the T6, but with a meaningful cosmetic and tech refresh - and the last generation built on VW's own Transporter architecture before the T7 moved to a shared Ford platform. The front face is sharper and more car-like, the digital cockpit is standard on higher trims, and Highline spec includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Production ended in 2024.

From a conversion perspective, the T6.1 is identical to the T6 - every roof kit, bed system, and furniture profile fits the same body. Second-hand stock has grown considerably as lease returns come through, so there is now a reasonable selection at the upper end of the market. The premium over a comparable T6 is real, but this is the newest Transporter you can buy with a fully mature conversion ecosystem behind it.

Best for

Buyers prioritising current-generation aesthetics, factory infotainment tech, and who have the budget to suit.

2025 > ULEZ compliant

VW T7 Transporter

Worth watching, harder to judge

Price guide£50k+

PlatformFord Transit Custom

PowertrainsDiesel / EV / PHEV (2026)

Engine2.0 TDI 110-170PS

The T7 Transporter was unveiled in 2024 and is co-developed with Ford on the Transit Custom platform - a major departure from VW's own Transporter lineage. UK deliveries began in April 2025, with diesel (110, 150, or 170PS) and fully electric powertrains available now, and a plug-in hybrid expected in 2026. An 8-speed automatic is standard on the 170PS. Worth noting: the T7 is physically larger than its predecessors - the SWB measures roughly 5,050mm, about 150mm longer than a T6 SWB.

From a conversion standpoint, this is still a young platform. The established ecosystem built around T5/T6/T6.1 - pop-top roofs, RIB beds, furniture profiles, and specialist converter knowledge - does not carry over to the new body. Early adopters like Redline and Spartan are now offering T7 builds, but proven conversion templates and off-the-shelf kits remain limited. If you want a brand-new van on the latest platform, be aware that you are among the first wave.

Best for

Buyers who want a brand-new van with modern powertrain options, and are comfortable being among the first to commission a conversion on the new platform.

The Dimension Decision

Long Wheelbase vs Short

The single most important decision before anything else is fixed. Get this right first.

Short Wheelbase

SWB

Overall length ~4,900mm · Load area ~2,570mm

4,900mm

Fits standard UK parking bays and height barriers (base van - pop-top adds ~400mm)
Noticeably easier to manoeuvre on narrow campsites and country lanes
Parks like a large car in everyday life
Full-length bed, kitchen, and storage all fit with a well-planned 2,570mm layout
Wider choice of second-hand stock and professional conversion experience

The most popular choice for weekends-and-holidays use. Efficient layouts make the 2,570mm load area more than enough for most people.

Long Wheelbase

LWB

Overall length ~5,300mm · Load area ~2,975mm

5,300mm

~400mm more load length - meaningful extra room for layout flexibility
More space for a longer kitchen run, separate storage, or a fixed rear bed
Easier to live in for extended trips or full-time use
More practical if you regularly carry bikes, boards, or bulky gear inside

The right choice if you need the space - but the compromise is real. Noticeably more awkward in towns, tight campsites will cause friction, and you'll feel the length every time you park in a city.

Verdict

These dimensions apply to the T5, T6, and T6.1 - all three share the same body shell. The T7 is larger: its SWB is roughly 5,050mm, close to the length of a T5/T6 LWB. Most people buying a weekends-and-holidays campervan are well served by a thoughtfully planned SWB. Choose LWB if you regularly travel with four people, want a dedicated toilet cubicle, or are planning extended trips - not simply because more space sounds appealing.