In years gone by your typical plumber would show up in his old white van, most likely a Ford Transit with a rusty wheel arch and a few scratches and scuffs down the side. Things have moved a long way since then, and today's plumbers are spoilt for choice for well engineered, fully customisable and well priced vans. Plumbers looking for a new van will notice that the competition has brought a wide range of vans which are comfortable, well designed and are easy to drive.

Modern vans offer car-like comfort along with work-focused measures such as space, ruggedness and durability. They are available in various sizes, from 3 to 17 cubic meters of loading space, and can be customized to meet the plumber's specific needs. Most vans now offer at least one sliding door (some offer a second sliding door as an option), offering excellent access to the loading space.

A buyer can determine whether they would prefer a tailgate or double rear doors. Another interesting recent option is a reduced opening angle for the cab doors, allowing the driver or passengers to grab the handle in its fully open position and reduce the risk of heating the wall or other objects nearby.

Most vans sold to the plumbing & heating industry these days are diesel powered. This is mainly owing to their significantly better fuel economy and their higher torque in lower revs which is important for carrying and towing heavy loads. Recent developments in the diesel engine design and build have passed on major benefits to the consumer of both passenger cars and commercial light vans. The benefits include quieter engines and smoother operation, longer lasting parts, lower maintenance costs and better reliability.

A special mechanical particulate filter is used to clear out carbon particles from the exhaust gases. The filter greatly improves the quality of the exhaust output and reduces the carbon emissions from the engine.

The biggest single improvement in diesel engines in recent years was the development and deployment of the common rail system. Similar in operations to direct injection in petrol engines, the common rail system has improved the smoothness and quietness of the engine and consequently the quality of the ride. Another useful benefit of the common rail system is an improved fuel economy together with an increased torque.

A new system is being introduced by some auto manufacturers which injects fuel at high pressure levels into the combustion chambers of the diesel engines. Several new vans are offering this technology which offers higher efficiency and engine flexibility.

Modern light vans are now sold with gear boxes offering five or six gears. This improves the ride quality, offering a smooth ride. Some vans are now offered with automatic or semi automatic gear boxes, which are winning hearts on the highly congested UK roads and town centres.

Modern light vans now offer comfort levels that were not available even for luxury cars only a few years ago. Vans are now offering air conditioning, cruise control and satellite navigation systems are offered as options or sometimes even as standard by some manufacturers. With better engines and ride quality, a long drive is not so daunting anymore.

Another important improvement is the increased level of safety in modern vans. Most light commercial vehicles now come with a driver's air bag as standard and some offer passenger airbag or other airbags as options (e.g. curtain and side airbags). Vans are also offered with ABS (Antilock Braking System) and ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme). Both of these electronic systems can save lives by keeping the vehicle stable through controlling the power distribution between the wheels or by taking control of the breaking system in difficult breaking conditions (such as icy or wet roads).