Automatic panel vans. 2017+ Dispatch/Expert/Vivaro maybe?
Discussion
I'm thinking of buying an automatic panel van in the new year, something big enough to carry a couple of 29" full suspension MTBs, without the faff and theft risk of roof carriers or hassle of taking wheels off to load into the car. Automatic is a must because my left knee is crap, and particularly so after a day's riding.
The 2017 onward Citroen Dispatch/Peugeot Expert/Fiat Scudo etc vans look a good bet in 2.0 auto guise, the 'box being an Aisin torque converter rather than some dual clutch rubbish, and the 2.0HDi being a lot less troublesome than the 1.6. Have seen a couple of well kitted out 180bhp examples within budget, which on paper look like a very nice little van.
Are there any particular problems with these vans in terms of reliability? And any other recommendations without spending a fortune (say £15k max for something with 5 figure mileage)?
Merc Vitos are on the radar too. Transporters are definitely not (expensive, unreliable, I don't like or trust the DSG). I'm not sure about Transit Customs, it looks like they've got something other than the infamous Powershift/Powers
t gearbox but struggling to find much information, they also seem to be a favourite with thieves.
Essentials are: automatic, reliable, long enough load bay for 29" mountain bikes, air con, cruise control, 3 front seats. Euro 6 would be preferable as I expect non-ULEZ vans to become increasingly hard to sell as time goes on.
The 2017 onward Citroen Dispatch/Peugeot Expert/Fiat Scudo etc vans look a good bet in 2.0 auto guise, the 'box being an Aisin torque converter rather than some dual clutch rubbish, and the 2.0HDi being a lot less troublesome than the 1.6. Have seen a couple of well kitted out 180bhp examples within budget, which on paper look like a very nice little van.
Are there any particular problems with these vans in terms of reliability? And any other recommendations without spending a fortune (say £15k max for something with 5 figure mileage)?
Merc Vitos are on the radar too. Transporters are definitely not (expensive, unreliable, I don't like or trust the DSG). I'm not sure about Transit Customs, it looks like they've got something other than the infamous Powershift/Powers
t gearbox but struggling to find much information, they also seem to be a favourite with thieves.Essentials are: automatic, reliable, long enough load bay for 29" mountain bikes, air con, cruise control, 3 front seats. Euro 6 would be preferable as I expect non-ULEZ vans to become increasingly hard to sell as time goes on.
Edited by Jonny_ on Wednesday 20th December 22:10
We have a small fleet with Vito's, Transit Customs and Renault Traffics.
The Vito is my pick, Smooth, quiet (when warmed up), quick when moving (190bhp). It's a bit slow to pull away, the gearbox can be slow to kick down and its a bit rolly polly in the suspension but its a 2019 with 100k miles on the clock and not had a single problem, so far. They are an old design so ours don't have car play or LED lights but the post 2020 face lift vans do. Cruising along with a light load it will return mid 40's MPG.
The Transits are a more sporty proposition, not as rolly as the Vito, gear change is a lot snappier with it being a DCT type but I find them difficult to get away from junctions without wheelspin and we have had a few small issues with them. Ours are 2021 so have car play and LED lights which makes them nicer day to day. For some reason ours are a little thirsty only getting mid to high 30's rather than the 40's you get from the other vans.
The Traffics are cheap and you can tell. For some reason we have the sport version?? 170bhp so they go well but the ride is pretty poor, somehow hard and soft and fidgety at the same time. They also have a DCT type gearbox and have the same get away problem as the Transit. We have had a few issues with them but they have been generally reliable. They are from 2021 and have LED lights and Car Play so have the modern tech. Similar economy to the Vito.
A friend has Vauxhalls of some kind, sorry I haven't seen them but they are not that old and have had heater matrix and gearbox issues already.
The Vito is my pick, Smooth, quiet (when warmed up), quick when moving (190bhp). It's a bit slow to pull away, the gearbox can be slow to kick down and its a bit rolly polly in the suspension but its a 2019 with 100k miles on the clock and not had a single problem, so far. They are an old design so ours don't have car play or LED lights but the post 2020 face lift vans do. Cruising along with a light load it will return mid 40's MPG.
The Transits are a more sporty proposition, not as rolly as the Vito, gear change is a lot snappier with it being a DCT type but I find them difficult to get away from junctions without wheelspin and we have had a few small issues with them. Ours are 2021 so have car play and LED lights which makes them nicer day to day. For some reason ours are a little thirsty only getting mid to high 30's rather than the 40's you get from the other vans.
The Traffics are cheap and you can tell. For some reason we have the sport version?? 170bhp so they go well but the ride is pretty poor, somehow hard and soft and fidgety at the same time. They also have a DCT type gearbox and have the same get away problem as the Transit. We have had a few issues with them but they have been generally reliable. They are from 2021 and have LED lights and Car Play so have the modern tech. Similar economy to the Vito.
A friend has Vauxhalls of some kind, sorry I haven't seen them but they are not that old and have had heater matrix and gearbox issues already.
Thanks both.
I've unfortunately failed to find any decent Vitos within budget and sensible distance, all the ones for reasonable money seem to be ancient, mega mileage, visibly shabby, extremely basic, or have the wrong (i.e. Renault) engines.
I'm off to test drive a Dispatch tomorrow, top of the range one with the 180bhp 2.0 HDi and 6 speed auto. Looks like it should be a nice van, fingers crossed anyway.
I've unfortunately failed to find any decent Vitos within budget and sensible distance, all the ones for reasonable money seem to be ancient, mega mileage, visibly shabby, extremely basic, or have the wrong (i.e. Renault) engines.
I'm off to test drive a Dispatch tomorrow, top of the range one with the 180bhp 2.0 HDi and 6 speed auto. Looks like it should be a nice van, fingers crossed anyway.
gazza285 said:
Just make sure you are sitting comfortably, our Dispatch is the least popular van on the fleet, mainly due to the cramped driving position.
Cheers, that's very much on the checklist, I remember finding an old shape one (2013/2014 I think) quite uncomfortable. Hopefully the new shape vans are better in this regard.gazza285 said:
Ours is the new shape…
Well, I didn't go for the Dispatch in the end. Not because of it being cramped (it was a bit short on legroom, but not intolerably so) but because of a variety of niggly issues that made me a bit wary of a potential money pit.Bit of a shame as, without those problems, it would have been a really nice van and pretty much ideal for my intended use.
Oh well. Back to scouring Auto Trader, eBay et al.
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