Reliability is important across all sectors. Whether it be a washing machine, your car or even your internet service. But one aspect where it’s particularly important is in the van world.
With commercial vehicles used day in and day out, and often covering tens of thousands of miles each year, businesses are especially reliant on them, and an unreliable van just wouldn’t cut it.
Each year Fleet News quizzes 50 of the UK’s largest leasing companies about the reliability of their vehicles, which covers thousands and thousands of cars and vans. It’s known as the FN50, and while we’re still waiting on the results of 2019’s survey, these 2018 results are a great indication of the reliability of the nation’s vans. Here are the 10 most dependable.
10. Volkswagen Caddy
Volkswagen’s smallest van, the Caddy, might not be carrying the loads that larger vans do, but reliability remains key. It’s a popular choice for British Gas, with the latest model, which debuted in 2015, proving to have strong petrol and diesel engines. While the Caddy has previously ranked higher in Fleet News’s survey, it’s still proving to be very dependable.
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9. Ford Transit
The big Ford Transit is a popular choice with couriers and utility firms, undoubtedly where reliability is key, so it’s pleasing to see this large model ranked in the top 10 in the FN50 survey. An all-new model has recently been unveiled, and while it’s reliability still needs to be justified, it will likely follow the same path.
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8. Peugeot Partner
While an all-new Peugeot Partner arrived in the UK towards the end of 2018, the result here actually applies to the previous version, which was on sale between 2008 and 2018. It’s always been a popular van, along with its Citroen Berlingo sister product, and is a popular choice with Royal Mail. It’s undoubtedly dependable then, and given the latest model shares plenty in common with the older version, it should prove to be a very reliable van.
7. Ford Transit Connect
One of Ford’s smaller commercial vehicles has shot up the charts recently in the FN50 survey – just missing out on the top five in the 2018 survey. As with other Ford Transits, it has recently been overhauled with new tech and engines, though this is likely to have little effect on reliability.
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6. Volkswagen Crafter
Volkswagen’s second entry in the top 10 proves is the brand’s largest van – the Crafter. It’s another very popular van with couriers – notably DPD – so it’s great to see how reliable the model is proving to be. The latest model is solely VW’s own work (rather than a joint project with Mercedes like it was before), while it will also be offered with an electric version shortly.
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5. Citroen Berlingo
The popular Berlingo climbs further up the chart than the Peugeot Partner – securing a top five place in the FN50 survey. As with the Peugeot model, the ranking here applies to the version on sale between 2008-2018, rather than the new model that debuted towards the end of last year.
4. Vauxhall Vivaro
The Vivaro is the only van to be built in Britain on this list, and it’s a testament to UK manufacturing that this van scores so well for reliability. Vauxhall unveiled an all-new Vivaro earlier this year – now sitting on the same platform as other Peugeot and Citroen vans – so this rating does apply to the last-generation version.
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3. Mercedes Vito
Mercedes’s mid-size commercial vehicle is clearly proving to be very reliable – being ranked in an impressive third place in Fleet News’s annual survey. With a host of trim levels, body types and very plush versions available from the factory, it’s incredibly versatile, and that is another trait of the Vito, alongside its excellent reliability record.
2. Volkswagen Transporter
As one of Britain’s most popular new vans, and Volkswagen’s best-seller, the Transporter has done exceptionally well to be ranked so high for reliability. It’s a trusted favourite with breakdown firms, such as the RAC and The AA, which tells you all you need to know about just how dependable this model is. It’s been recently updated with a facelifted look, and improved standard kit – making it even more appealing.
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1. Mercedes Sprinter
A firm favourite at the top of the FN50 survey – in fact Mercedes’s largest Sprinter has been ranked in this position ever since 2015. If you want the best reliability from a van, this undoubtedly seems like the best option, and it’s little wonder that it’s so popular with fleets up and down the country. This rating applies to the previous model, though we expect the all-new Sprinter will remain as reliable as ever.
