The Volkswagen campervan is perhaps the most iconic recreational vehicle in the world. From the Splitscreen Type 2 of the 1950s to today's T7 California, VW has defined the compact campervan segment for over seven decades. No other brand carries the same cultural weight, lifestyle association and sheer recognisability.

Today's VW campervan range centres on the California — a factory-built campervan available in Beach, Coast and Ocean trim levels. The latest T7 version is based on the Multivan platform, offering a notably more car-like driving experience than the van-based predecessors. It's available with diesel, petrol or plug-in hybrid powertrains, the latter offering around 50 miles of electric-only range and 4MOTION all-wheel drive as standard.

For those needing more space, the Grand California is built on the VW Crafter chassis and offers a proper washroom with toilet and shower — something the standard California has never included. At the other end, the Caddy California provides micro-campervan capability in a car-sized package.

Beyond the factory offerings, the VW Transporter remains the most popular base vehicle for specialist campervan conversions in the UK. Companies like Hillside Leisure, Wellhouse, Bilbos and dozens of smaller specialists build conversions on T5, T6 and now T7 Transporter platforms, offering layouts and specifications that the factory California doesn't cover.

VW campervans hold their value exceptionally well — better than almost any other recreational vehicle. A well-maintained California barely depreciates beyond a certain floor, making them one of the soundest financial investments in the motorhome market.

The Volkswagen campervan story begins in the 1950s when Westfalia-Werke began converting the iconic VW Type 2 (Splitscreen) Microbus into live-aboard campervans. These early conversions, with their pop-top roofs and folding furniture, created an entirely new vehicle category and established the VW campervan as a cultural icon that endures to this day.

The partnership between Volkswagen and Westfalia continued through the Bay Window (1967), T3/T25 (1979) and T4 (1990) generations. When Westfalia was acquired by DaimlerChrysler in 2001, Volkswagen brought campervan production in-house, launching the first factory-built VW California on the T5 platform in 2003.

The T5 California (2003–2015) and T6/T6.1 California (2015–2024) became the benchmark compact campervans in Europe — the vehicles against which all others were measured. In 2019, VW launched the Grand California on the larger Crafter chassis, and in 2021 the compact Caddy California.

The latest T7 California (2024–present) represents a major departure, being based on the Multivan MPV platform rather than the Transporter van. It's bigger, more car-like to drive, and available for the first time as a plug-in hybrid with 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

Iconic status — no other campervan brand carries the same cultural recognition. The VW campervan is a lifestyle symbol recognised around the world, from the classic Splitscreen to the modern California. This cachet directly supports exceptional resale values.

Everyday drivability — unlike larger motorhomes, a VW California works perfectly as a daily driver. You can commute in it, park in a supermarket car park, and drive it like a normal car — then head off for a weekend camping trip without swapping vehicles.

Factory build quality — the California is built by Volkswagen to the same standards as their passenger cars, with fit, finish and quality control that specialist converters struggle to match. Everything works with OEM precision.

Exceptional value retention — Californias depreciate to a floor price and then hold steady. Used examples barely lose value, making them one of the best investments in the recreational vehicle market. A five-year-old California may have lost only a fraction of its purchase price.

Pop-top versatility — the electric pop-top roof transforms the California from a normal-looking vehicle into a genuine sleeping space for two, with the convenience of a hard roof for everyday driving and motorway speeds.

If you want a vehicle that does everything — the California is unique in being a genuine daily driver, family car and campervan in one vehicle. No other motorhome or campervan offers this combination of everyday practicality and weekend adventure capability.

If value retention is paramount — no recreational vehicle holds its value like a VW California. If you buy wisely, you may sell for close to what you paid years later. This makes the high purchase price much more palatable when viewed as a whole-life cost.

If you want factory quality — the OEM build quality, warranty support and VW Commercial Vehicle dealer network provide a level of reliability and backup that specialist converters simply cannot match.

If you're new to campervanning — the California's car-like driving experience, automatic gearbox and familiar VW controls make it the least intimidating entry point into campervan life.

If you care about environmental impact — the new T7 California eHybrid offers plug-in hybrid technology with 50 miles of electric range, making it the greenest factory campervan on the market.

Very expensive — new T7 Californias start above £63,000 and top-spec Ocean models exceed £80,000. For the same money, you could buy a much larger and better-equipped coachbuilt motorhome with a separate bedroom and bathroom.

Compact living space — while the pop-top provides sleeping room, the living space is fundamentally that of a van. For extended trips or taller occupants, it can feel cramped compared to even a small coachbuilt motorhome.

No toilet or bathroom — the standard California has never included a toilet. If this is important to you, you need the larger (and more expensive) Grand California or a coachbuilt alternative.

Kitchen is basic — the built-in kitchen, while cleverly designed, has a small two-burner hob and limited preparation space. Serious cooks may find it frustrating compared to the full kitchens in coachbuilt motorhomes.

T7 controversies — the move to the Multivan platform has divided enthusiasts. The loss of the Transporter's commercial vehicle robustness, the smaller kitchen and some storage compromises have disappointed some long-standing California fans.

Servicing costs — VW Commercial Vehicle dealer rates are higher than independent specialists, and some service intervals (particularly on 4MOTION models) can be expensive.

Check the pop-top mechanism — operate the electric pop-top several times and check the canvas for wear, tears, UV damage and mould. The canvas should be taut when raised and the mechanism should operate smoothly. Replacement canvas is expensive.

Inspect the sliding door mechanism — the electric sliding door(s) should open and close smoothly without grinding or hesitation. Check the rubber seals for wear and the runners for debris.

Test all campervan systems — run the hob, check the fridge works on both 12V and mains, test the auxiliary heater (especially the Webasto/Eberspächer diesel heater on older models), and check the leisure battery charges correctly.

Check the engine and gearbox — on T5 models, check for turbo and DPF issues. On T6 models, verify AdBlue system operation. On all models, check for oil leaks, unusual noises and smooth gear changes (DSG gearboxes should be seamless).

Verify the service history — VW dealer service history adds significant value. Check for all scheduled maintenance including any expensive interval items (Haldex service on 4MOTION, DSG oil change).

Check for rust — while Transporters are generally well-protected, check wheel arches, sills, under the sliding door runners and around the rear hatch for any corrosion.

If buying a third-party conversion — check the converter's reputation, whether the conversion has been signed off by a qualified electrician and gas engineer, and whether it affects the base vehicle warranty.

VW Californias benefit from the standard Volkswagen manufacturer warranty (three years on new vehicles). For used purchases, VW's Approved Used programme offers extended warranty options through the VW Commercial Vehicle dealer network.

For purchases outside the VW Approved Used scheme, look for a dealer offering an independent warranty backed by a provider like the RAC. While Californias are generally reliable, repairs through the VW dealer network can be expensive, and specialist campervan components (heaters, pop-top mechanisms) can be costly to replace.

OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty, which provides peace of mind on a vehicle where even minor VW dealer repairs can carry premium labour rates.

When buying a used Volkswagen, look for a dealer that offers an independent warranty backed by a provider like the RAC. This means your warranty remains valid even if the dealer ceases trading. OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty, covering the average ownership period.