Used vans - advice needed please!
Discussion
Over the past two years, I have had two vans (a Ford Courier and a Renault Kangoo), bought from private sellers, that have both only lasted 7 months before having to be scrapped with a blown head hasket. Pretty annoying.
I am now looking for a used van, with a budget of up to £3000. My main criteria are having a load length of around 6 foot (I am a gardener and some of my tools are that length), having a side loading door, and most importantly, lasting for at least 2-3 years (30-50k miles).
The Ford Connect ticks many boxes, but I have had mixed reports as to their reliability. I have seen one within my budget that seems OK (though there is a very slight rattle when accelerating, not sure if this is a big problem??).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as frankly, I don't know much about vans and don't want to get ripped off again!
Cheers
I am now looking for a used van, with a budget of up to £3000. My main criteria are having a load length of around 6 foot (I am a gardener and some of my tools are that length), having a side loading door, and most importantly, lasting for at least 2-3 years (30-50k miles).
The Ford Connect ticks many boxes, but I have had mixed reports as to their reliability. I have seen one within my budget that seems OK (though there is a very slight rattle when accelerating, not sure if this is a big problem??).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as frankly, I don't know much about vans and don't want to get ripped off again!
Cheers
The Ford Connects are great little vans, but at that price range, tend to be higher mileage etc. THe T230 would be ideal for you, higher roofline and longer wheelbase, and all 230's will have a sliding side door. Not all the 200/220 models did.
Another vehicle to look at, Partners/Berlingo's. They may feel cheap, but youll get a newer van, with good engines in them for similar price to the more agricultural Connect at that budget.
Biggest thing with vans, good service history, its one thing I judge my PX's on at work, I'm a commercial dealer (not quite those in your budget im affraid) and its the one thing I buy on
Another vehicle to look at, Partners/Berlingo's. They may feel cheap, but youll get a newer van, with good engines in them for similar price to the more agricultural Connect at that budget.
Biggest thing with vans, good service history, its one thing I judge my PX's on at work, I'm a commercial dealer (not quite those in your budget im affraid) and its the one thing I buy on
Another vote for the Connect LWB (to get a full 6ft and a bit load length). I had a T220 SWB (1.8TDdi 90bhp clanky engined one!) former British Gas one which I sold with 142k on it going strong. I put 110k on it rather quickly as a courier but as it had air-con and electric windows etc got a good price for it.
In that time it had a clutch, injectors and alternator - it never broke down, was okay on fuel a long as not being a hooligan (most of the time around 50mpg) and was extremely versatile.
Buy on condition and history - many leak into the passenger footwell which is well covered by the rubber flooring thus hiding rot! A good one will keep on going and going (esp the old TDdi units).
In that time it had a clutch, injectors and alternator - it never broke down, was okay on fuel a long as not being a hooligan (most of the time around 50mpg) and was extremely versatile.
Buy on condition and history - many leak into the passenger footwell which is well covered by the rubber flooring thus hiding rot! A good one will keep on going and going (esp the old TDdi units).
I'm on my 3rd Connect, my previous swb 75ps was a new 08 plate and ran faultlessly for 2 years and 30k miles. When I left the company who owned that van, I bought a 90ps T230 lwb, 57 plate, 29k miles and ran it to 60k over about 4 years. It needed a ns driveshaft at 55k, a rad at about the same mileage, and the week I sold it, I MOTd it, and the advisory pointed out a leak from the thermo housing, a common fault.
I recently replaced it with a LWB 110 limited, 59 plate facelift, 31k miles. It's had a coolant sensor replaced in the few months I've had it, the service history would suggest nothing untoward, other than that.
They're quite car like to drive, 33 mpg seems about the norm, if you drive the way I do they respond well to a remap and Shell nitro , I'd thoroughly recommend them based on my experiences. I change the oil and filter every 5k between scheduled services, I can't be doing with running turbocharged vehicles to 15k on the same oil!
They're not faultless, but you can make them more reliable with regular maintenance, and the use of the Transit forum.
I recently replaced it with a LWB 110 limited, 59 plate facelift, 31k miles. It's had a coolant sensor replaced in the few months I've had it, the service history would suggest nothing untoward, other than that.
They're quite car like to drive, 33 mpg seems about the norm, if you drive the way I do they respond well to a remap and Shell nitro , I'd thoroughly recommend them based on my experiences. I change the oil and filter every 5k between scheduled services, I can't be doing with running turbocharged vehicles to 15k on the same oil!
They're not faultless, but you can make them more reliable with regular maintenance, and the use of the Transit forum.
I've got a tdci 90 hp 220 swb connect and its been good. Its an 05 plate and I bought it in 2011 for £3500 with 47k miles on. Its basic spec and has no sliding door but its a work van and can carry 850 kgs.
Most of the time its empty in the back and in normal driving I struggle to get 40 mpg (400 miles per tank) but can get about 45 on the motorway. Go much over 70 though and it can plummet.
I'm on 92k now and has been 100% reliable, just normal servicing by myself and a timing belt. Though there are one or two funny noises developing. "Gearbox thrash" (look it up on the forums) is common and occurs between 1750 and 2000 revs. No one seems to know what it is (clutch springs vibrating I've been told) but I've had it for 30000 miles so will leave it for a while yet.
If you get one make sure it is the 90 bhp one at least as the 75 is slow.
Finally despite what you might hear it doesn't drive like a car, and watch out for rust.
Most of the time its empty in the back and in normal driving I struggle to get 40 mpg (400 miles per tank) but can get about 45 on the motorway. Go much over 70 though and it can plummet.
I'm on 92k now and has been 100% reliable, just normal servicing by myself and a timing belt. Though there are one or two funny noises developing. "Gearbox thrash" (look it up on the forums) is common and occurs between 1750 and 2000 revs. No one seems to know what it is (clutch springs vibrating I've been told) but I've had it for 30000 miles so will leave it for a while yet.
If you get one make sure it is the 90 bhp one at least as the 75 is slow.
Finally despite what you might hear it doesn't drive like a car, and watch out for rust.
I'd go for a PSA van, I've had Fords of all sizes, VWs, Vauxhalls and Fiats through work and when I needed to buy my own I got a Berlingo.
Not the fastest thing on the road by any means, but they have been very reliable and much better on fuel than a Connect. I have a Fiat Scudo now, which is a rebadged Citroen Dispatch, and have had one sensor fail in the 20 months I've had it, bigger van than a Connect and I'm getting 48.6 miles per gallon on average apparently.
Not the fastest thing on the road by any means, but they have been very reliable and much better on fuel than a Connect. I have a Fiat Scudo now, which is a rebadged Citroen Dispatch, and have had one sensor fail in the 20 months I've had it, bigger van than a Connect and I'm getting 48.6 miles per gallon on average apparently.
I've got a 2005 Hiace. 130k owned it for 3 years. It just passed its mot last week with no advisories and it's totally rust free. In the time I have owned it, other than servicing, I've put 2 new tyres on it and a rear diff bush. If you are happy to accept your van as a tool and don't have to spend all day
it, its brilliant. I paid £2400 for it, or one years lease on a new transit.
it, its brilliant. I paid £2400 for it, or one years lease on a new transit.
Thanks for all the advice that's really helpful. The Connect I've seen has everything I need, I just hope it is reliable.
I have looked around for a Toyota Hiace but not really found any in my price range, will keep looking.
Re the head gasket, I was quoted more than my van is worth to fix it and I need something bigger anyway.
Thanks again
I have looked around for a Toyota Hiace but not really found any in my price range, will keep looking.
Re the head gasket, I was quoted more than my van is worth to fix it and I need something bigger anyway.
Thanks again
LouD86 said:
The Ford Connects are great little vans, but at that price range, tend to be higher mileage etc. THe T230 would be ideal for you, higher roofline and longer wheelbase, and all 230's will have a sliding side door.
I've got a T230 LX. '05, 90k miles now. Just keeps on keeping on. Other than a battery and routine servicing (and constantly replacing the bumper end caps) it's been perfectly reliable. I am firmly of the opinion that there isn't a reliable, modern, diesel engined van left out there.
You can find people that say they've done 3 zillion miles with only routine servicing on just about every make, then you'll find people who've had that make go tits up, like your previous vans.
My Caddy, which is in your price range, has just had a replacement engine followed very quickly by a gearbox rebuild, yet most people believe VWs are the most reliable.
If you don't need a modern one due to emissions crap wherever you are going to drive it, I'd suggest a much older diesel or better still, petrol van.
You can find people that say they've done 3 zillion miles with only routine servicing on just about every make, then you'll find people who've had that make go tits up, like your previous vans.
My Caddy, which is in your price range, has just had a replacement engine followed very quickly by a gearbox rebuild, yet most people believe VWs are the most reliable.
If you don't need a modern one due to emissions crap wherever you are going to drive it, I'd suggest a much older diesel or better still, petrol van.
xstian said:
I've got a 2005 Hiace. 130k owned it for 3 years. It just passed its mot last week with no advisories and it's totally rust free. In the time I have owned it, other than servicing, I've put 2 new tyres on it and a rear diff bush. If you are happy to accept your van as a tool and don't have to spend all day
it, its brilliant. I paid £2400 for it, or one years lease on a new transit.
The rear diff bush is the only thing I've had to do on mine too! Other than tyres and a few bulbs! After using Fords for my entire working career, I can't get over how well made the Toyota is, there isn't a single squeak or rattle from the suspension, the exhaust still looks to be the original and in one piece and it doesn't use a drop of oil between services!it, its brilliant. I paid £2400 for it, or one years lease on a new transit.
I find Connects can be hit and miss. There were 4 in my old job. The 54 plate one had a few issues, the 08 was trouble free from memory and the two 09s constantly had faults, I'm pretty sure one had a new engine.
A friend of mine has an 07, which recently needed a new fuel pump @55k miles.
The 08 that was trouble free was a LWB, the rest were SWB. Presumably a different engine?
I've got a 2013 LWB Limited Connect.
Only done 8k miles, but I find they way it drives pretty crap.
The throttle response is appalling - press it, and wait for something to happen....
The revs are quite erratic at times too.
It also takes at least 10 miles for any decent warm air to enter the cabin, or even for the temp gauge to register.
Never seen any better mpg than mid 30's.
Of course, my dealer can find nothing wrong.
Wondering if a remap would help, or knacker the warranty.
Heated front screen is a boon in this weather, though.
Only done 8k miles, but I find they way it drives pretty crap.
The throttle response is appalling - press it, and wait for something to happen....
The revs are quite erratic at times too.
It also takes at least 10 miles for any decent warm air to enter the cabin, or even for the temp gauge to register.
Never seen any better mpg than mid 30's.
Of course, my dealer can find nothing wrong.
Wondering if a remap would help, or knacker the warranty.
Heated front screen is a boon in this weather, though.
I think in this sort of price range, and if you want to save it, head gasket just means it's time to go to the scrappie and buy another engine. Fitted at either scrapyard or reasonable garage rates should be £500'ish. I guess it depends on whether you can afford to be off the road while it's being repaired
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff