So, the guy I work with is in the market for a new van, he is as bad with motors and what to look for as I am hence why I'm asking here. He currently has a Vauxhall Combo that this evening completely gave up on him to the point where the guy from the AA told him it's terminal 🤣
So van wise......he wants the same size one but wants something reliable. New or old, he hasn't made up his mind (he was going to go older but the secondhand market seems a bit of a con right now). Can anyone advice on any makes/models that have a good history? I know all wagons can fall apart and have their issues but I also know that some are worse than others!
Any help appreciated.
So van wise......he wants the same size one but wants something reliable. New or old, he hasn't made up his mind (he was going to go older but the secondhand market seems a bit of a con right now). Can anyone advice on any makes/models that have a good history? I know all wagons can fall apart and have their issues but I also know that some are worse than others!
Any help appreciated.
In reply to Post #1
I've got a 17 plate berlingo now on 70000 miles and can't fault it. Had it from 3yrs old and have no issues with it, when I got it I had the choice of a caddy which was the base model and had no electric windows or air con but was the same price. There was also a Ford connect which was slightly bigger and although was the same age it was more expensive. I took advice from the salesman and went for the berlingo. I would say the ford is better but you pay for the premium.
Last year when my van was being serviced I had a brand new vauxhall combi for 2 days and although it was a brand new vehicle (1500 miles) it felt a lot more basic than what I was used to... All depends on what his budget is.
I've got a 17 plate berlingo now on 70000 miles and can't fault it. Had it from 3yrs old and have no issues with it, when I got it I had the choice of a caddy which was the base model and had no electric windows or air con but was the same price. There was also a Ford connect which was slightly bigger and although was the same age it was more expensive. I took advice from the salesman and went for the berlingo. I would say the ford is better but you pay for the premium.
Last year when my van was being serviced I had a brand new vauxhall combi for 2 days and although it was a brand new vehicle (1500 miles) it felt a lot more basic than what I was used to... All depends on what his budget is.
In reply to Post #1
Avoid anything french! And now unfortunately vauxhall are owned by the French too avoid them. Second hand prices are very high currently so new is probably the way to go if looking to spend a few quid. As much as I don't like fords the transit connect are decent little vans. Unfortunately these days vans aren't really built like vans used to be
Avoid anything french! And now unfortunately vauxhall are owned by the French too avoid them. Second hand prices are very high currently so new is probably the way to go if looking to spend a few quid. As much as I don't like fords the transit connect are decent little vans. Unfortunately these days vans aren't really built like vans used to be
In reply to Post #3
Avoid anything German.
French Van's are so reliable nowadays that Mercedes rebadge Renault Kangoo's and the Latest Vauxhall Combo is a rebadged Berlingo/Partner so it'll benefit from superior reliability compared to German origin vans.
Laughed loud reading this Months Total Carp when Alan Blairs VW broke down enroute for his latest road Trip.
I guess we all have different experiences with cars/Vans though so pays yer money and fingers crossed.
Avoid anything German.
French Van's are so reliable nowadays that Mercedes rebadge Renault Kangoo's and the Latest Vauxhall Combo is a rebadged Berlingo/Partner so it'll benefit from superior reliability compared to German origin vans.
Laughed loud reading this Months Total Carp when Alan Blairs VW broke down enroute for his latest road Trip.
I guess we all have different experiences with cars/Vans though so pays yer money and fingers crossed.
Our fishing van is a 2004 Partner 2.0 HDi diesel. Yes, it is a so-called 'dirty' diesel, but it sails through its MoT every year, still returns 45-50mpg and will cruise all day at 110-130 kph on the French dual carriageways/motorways. It is cavernous, taking all the gear we need, and is the best buy we ever made.
OK, they will force it off the road in 2030, but if I am still going I'll be well into my 80s by then and won't give a toss.
OK, they will force it off the road in 2030, but if I am still going I'll be well into my 80s by then and won't give a toss.
In reply to Post #1
Based on my experiences, I'd agree with Ian.
Had nothing but problems with a Renault and have done 100k in my custom without an issue.
Based on my experiences, I'd agree with Ian.
Had nothing but problems with a Renault and have done 100k in my custom without an issue.
In reply to Post #4
Parkers survey must have got it wrong
Parkers survey must have got it wrong
In reply to Post #4
No, they really aren't
No, they really aren't
In reply to Post #8
Highest rated french van in the Parkers survey was 7th,1st Mercedes sprinter then followed by 3 vw models.caddy,crafter and transporter not sure on order.
Highest rated french van in the Parkers survey was 7th,1st Mercedes sprinter then followed by 3 vw models.caddy,crafter and transporter not sure on order.
In reply to Post #9
7 is too high too ...
7 is too high too ...
In reply to Post #10
I dont rate French cars/vans,I was going down the m6 once in one and it started to rain.The whole dashboard lit up and the car started to shudder and all the electrics went off.When the AA came out they said the model numbers on Peugeot stood for how many times they go wrong.My mate soon got rid after that,he had it scrapped so nobody else went through what we did
I dont rate French cars/vans,I was going down the m6 once in one and it started to rain.The whole dashboard lit up and the car started to shudder and all the electrics went off.When the AA came out they said the model numbers on Peugeot stood for how many times they go wrong.My mate soon got rid after that,he had it scrapped so nobody else went through what we did
In reply to Post #11
Exactly mate. They are notorious for electrical issues and have been for literally decades now. When I worked for Renault we had a full time electrician who couldn't keep up with it all
Exactly mate. They are notorious for electrical issues and have been for literally decades now. When I worked for Renault we had a full time electrician who couldn't keep up with it all
In reply to Post #12
Never owned one myself and never will
Never owned one myself and never will
In reply to Post #13
Wise choice Tony
Wise choice Tony
I've owned Citroens for the last 15years Berlingo's now an 18 plate dispatch and never had a problem with any of them