Choosing your catering vehicle is one of the biggest — and most expensive — steps in setting up your business. Get it right and it serves you for years; get it wrong and it's a costly mistake. So it's worth taking the time to pick the vehicle that genuinely fits how you want to trade.
The first big decision is which type of food vehicle you need: a catering trailer or a catering van (truck). I've been lucky enough to own both over the years, so here are the honest facts to weigh up before you commit.
Catering trailer vs catering van: the honest comparison
Before you invest, weigh up which option is the best fit. Having owned both, here's how they really stack up.
Catering trailer
- No road tax or MOT required — saves you money
- Larger, more spacious inside than a van
- Harder to steal than a van
- Needs a separate towing vehicle
- Manoeuvring and parking can be trickier
Catering van (truck)
- No separate towing vehicle needed — drive and go
- Quicker to set up and move between pitches
- Yearly MOT and road tax add to running costs
- Smaller interior than a trailer
- Easier to steal than a trailer
Both can make a great business — it comes down to your budget and your plans. One more thing to weigh up early: where you intend to trade. Some pitches and event organisers prefer a trailer over a van, or vice versa. Checking that before you buy will save you an expensive mistake.
No funds yet? Consider catering trailer hire
If you can't find the perfect vehicle or don't have the money for an upfront purchase, hiring a trailer can be a smart temporary solution. Renting lets you get trading and earning without a large initial outlay — a good way to test the waters before you commit to buying.
You may also be eligible for funding or support through schemes such as small business grants (including the Prince's Trust), business angels, or government business grants — ask your local council what's available. Our financing options guide covers the routes worth exploring.
Where to find catering trailers & vans for sale
Finding the right vehicle takes time, especially on a budget. These are the most popular places to look for new and used catering trailers and vans:
- eBay UK — a great source of second-hand catering trailers and vans.
- Daltons Business — a marketplace for buying and selling catering businesses and equipment.
- Gumtree — listings for both new and used catering vehicles.
- Specialist dealers — firms that build or refurbish catering vehicles, such as Towability, Mobile Kitchens Ltd and Excel Trailers.
Keep checking these regularly and you'll improve your chances of finding the right vehicle at the right price. Whichever you buy, fit proper security — see our guide to catering trailer wheel clamps.
Work out what your vehicle should really cost
Your vehicle is usually the single biggest startup cost. The MobCater app helps you build a realistic budget, trailer or van, new or second-hand, so you know exactly what you're spending before you buy.
Plan your budgetFree 12-step guide forever · Calculator included in the app
Final thoughts
Choosing between a catering trailer and a catering van comes down to your budget, your business goals and where you'll be trading. If you're unsure, hiring first is a practical way to test the waters before you commit to a purchase. Keep researching, compare your options, and make the informed decision that sets your catering business up for success.
Stay motivated until next time — to your mobile catering
success,
David
Frequently asked questions
Is a catering trailer or van cheaper to run?
A trailer usually works out cheaper on paper — there's no road tax or MOT on the trailer itself. But you still need a vehicle capable of towing it, which has its own tax, MOT and fuel costs. A van rolls everything into one vehicle but carries road tax and an annual MOT. Add up the full picture for your situation before deciding.
Do I need a special licence to tow a catering trailer?
It depends on the combined weight of your towing vehicle and trailer, and when you passed your driving test. Drivers who passed after 1 January 1997 may need to check their entitlement for heavier combinations. Always confirm your licence category and the trailer's weight before towing.
Which is easier to keep secure?
A trailer is generally harder to steal than a van, especially once you fit a wheel clamp and hitch lock. A van can be driven off if it's broken into, so good locks, an alarm and ideally a tracker are worth having. See our wheel clamps guide for layering up your security.
Can I hire before I buy?
Yes — hiring a catering trailer is a low-risk way to start trading and test your concept without a big upfront spend. Many caterers hire first, prove the business works, then buy once they have cash flow and a clearer idea of what they need.
Where's the best place to buy a used catering vehicle?
eBay UK, Daltons Business and Gumtree are the busiest marketplaces, and specialist dealers such as Towability, Mobile Kitchens Ltd and Excel Trailers build or refurbish units. Inspect anything in person, test the equipment, and don't buy sight unseen.