To a private car seller, weight figures are an afterthought. To a van buyer, they're the whole point — they decide whether the van can legally do the job. Quote them clearly and the right buyers find you; leave them out and your advert gets skipped. Here's what the numbers mean and how to present them.
The Three Numbers That Matter
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Payload | The maximum weight of cargo (and passengers/fuel beyond the basics) the van can legally carry. The headline figure for buyers. |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW / MAM) | The maximum the van is allowed to weigh fully loaded — van + payload combined. Drives the licence you need. |
| Kerb weight | The van's own weight, empty and ready to drive. Payload = GVW − kerb weight. |
| Towing capacity | The maximum braked trailer weight the van can legally pull, set by the manufacturer. |
| GTW (Gross Train Weight) | The combined limit for the loaded van plus loaded trailer together. |
A builder hauling materials or a courier with heavy parcels is doing mental maths: will this van carry my load without going over weight? An honest, prominent payload figure answers that instantly — and an overweight van is illegal to drive, so buyers genuinely care.
Why the 3.5-Tonne Line Matters
Most standard panel vans are built to a 3,500kg (3.5-tonne) GVW for a reason: a standard car driving licence (Category B) generally lets the holder drive vans up to that limit. Go above 3.5 tonnes and the driver typically needs a C1 licence — which many younger drivers don't hold. So a sub-3.5-tonne van appeals to the widest pool of buyers, while a heavier Luton or 3.5-tonne-plus van narrows it to those licensed (and willing) to drive it. Mention the GVW so buyers know immediately whether they can legally drive your van.
Where to Find Your Van’s Figures
- The VIN/weight plate: usually under the bonnet or in a door shut — it lists the GVW and axle weights.
- The V5C and handbook: show weights and, often, the braked towing capacity.
- Work out payload: subtract the kerb weight from the GVW. If a conversion (racking, tail-lift, ply-lining) has been added, real-world payload is lower than the brochure figure — be honest about it.
- Towing capacity: check the handbook or the manufacturer's data for the braked trailer limit; don't guess.
How to Present It in Your Advert
- State payload and GVW up top alongside size (wheelbase and roof height, e.g. L2 H2).
- Include towing capacity if the van is fitted with a tow bar — it opens up buyers pulling trailers, plant or caravans.
- Be honest about conversions that reduce usable payload; an overweight surprise at the weighbridge loses you the sale and the buyer's trust.
- Tag the evidence: on car-spot you can pin the tow bar or weight plate to the photo that proves it.
Add payload, GVW and towing so the right buyers find your van
