eBay has announced the winner of its Van Conversion of the Year Awards 2025 which has been won by a handcrafted camper van built on a Mercedes Sprinter.
Built by Cheshire couple Charlie Ding and Rosie Wells, it beat five other finalists to be crowned the UK’s top converted van.
The pair take home the trophy and a £10,000 cash prize after impressing judges with their clever engineering, calm modern interior and the ingenuity running through every part of the build.
The awards, now in their third year, celebrate the UK’s most impressive van transformations, covering everything from professional builds to DIY projects that turn everyday vans into mobile homes, workshops or creative spaces.
The competition was judged by a panel led by TV presenter George Clarke.
George Clarke, TV presenter and architect, and head judge, said: “This year’s entries were truly next level, showcasing brilliant and inspiring examples of creativity. The entrants had clearly put so much effort into their builds, with our category winners talking so proudly about them in their entries.
“For me, Charlie and Rosie’s van encompassed everything that we’re looking for in the eBay Van Conversion of the Year Awards. I was genuinely impressed by their van’s seamless blend of engineering ingenuity and clean, cosy design. I could tell that the fit and finish was meticulously thought through – it’s such a smart and wonderfully inventive use of space.”
Charlie and Rosie’s Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was first shortlisted after winning the “Clever Camper” category, which recognises engineering originality and standout problem-solving. Their build then beat five other category winners to take the overall title.
The couple were inspired after travelling to Vietnam and wanting a similar sense of adventure with one addition, being able to take along their dog, Little Rosie. The conversion took 18-month during evenings and weekends, with everything from windows and mirrors to lights and a reversing camera sourced through eBay.
Inside, the van has a full kitchen, a wardrobe that transforms into a shower, and a space-saving bed that retracts into the roof.
And it's not just being used for the occasional weekend away, the pair have already taken their camper to 13 countries on a nine-month European sabbatical.
The judging panel included George Clarke; Abir Tewari, UK Director of Commercial Operations for eBay Parts & Accessories; conversion specialist Mark Cropley of Whitebox Vans and Wildbox Adventure Vehicles; and van-life creator Josie Rose, last year’s “Most Creative” winner.
Charlie Ding said: “We are ecstatic to have won the overall prize – especially after investing so much time and effort into planning and building our ideal conversion. Using eBay’s parts and accessories, we had a one-stop-shop available for everything we needed, from Sprinter-specific nuts and bolts to some impressive tech I didn’t even know existed. It was great to put some of my engineering background to use, and we learned so much along the way. I’d highly recommend it to anyone considering a project like this.”
Rosie Wells said: “I can’t believe we’ve won! It is a great feeling to have our hard work recognised, especially by George Clarke and eBay. Our van is like travelling around in a little city apartment and it’s been perfect as we travel from country to country with our dog, little Rosie. This is the life for us, and I hope we show that anyone can make a van to go out and live in.”
Abir Tewari, UK Director of Commercial Operations for eBay parts and accessories, said: “At eBay, we’re proud to champion creators who bring their dream vehicles to life using parts and accessories sourced on eBay. Charlie and Rosie deserve every bit of recognition for their remarkable van. It’s inspiring to see how eBay helped power their project, which has taken them across the globe.”
