£2,500 for a reliable van

[Targarama]

My Brother needs a van for his new nursery business. Something Transit/Vivaro sized. He doesn't have much money. What does the PH collective suggest is a reliable choice? The last thing he needs is to be paying out for fuel pumps, turbos and the like. Ideally should have a tow bar to drag crap on a trailer locally (not motorway/heavy use). He will also be commuting 15 miles in the same vehicle. He's liking the Vauxhall Vivaro at the moment.

Suggestions?

[s2sol]

Transit, probably. RWD if he's towing. He might have to settle for a nasty looking one, but it will last longer than a FWD Vivaro/Primastar etc.

[B17NNS]

Can't go wrong with a Transit I'd have thought.

Stacks to choose from, numerous options re engine, drive, wheelbase and height plus everyone knows how to mend them.

[kingofherts]

There is only one van worth considering - Ford Transit.

Take a look at second hand ones, and see the mileages on some of them.... Most Vivaro/primastar/trafic's dont get to 150k without some major money being spent on them, normally gearbox related.

My transit is now approaching 220k and never misses a beat. As long as you change the oil every 6 months or so, should go on forever. Plus, parts are cheap as chips should you need any...

[powerstroke]

kingofherts said:

There is only one van worth considering - Ford Transit.

Take a look at second hand ones, and see the mileages on some of them.... Most Vivaro/primastar/trafic's dont get to 150k without some major money being spent on them, normally gearbox related.

My transit is now approaching 220k and never misses a beat. As long as you change the oil every 6 months or so, should go on forever. Plus, parts are cheap as chips should you need any...

Hmm the old ones maybe the newer ones well!!! injetor faults electrical issues
2 ford dealers have failed to find out why the PML is on, van runs fine but will it pass a MOT with the light on?? I think the modern vans are crap due to emissions rules you have sensitive electronics and cats and DPFs to block up
and parts are expensive £250 each for injetors and the pump isnt cheap then you have the joy of dualmass clutches !! not sure what to recomend I would tend to say something from the 90s if you can weld you will never better the old smiley front transits , the older toyota hi aces , or mercs for basic reliable and easy to fix... the way its going is lease something and just pay out a fixed sum each month otherwise its going to be expensive when things go wrong...