Best Used Van: 2014 onwards Vito, or T5/T6?

[Meekey675]

Hi! New to the forum. Starting the research process for a new van. I'll probably end up buying an ex-commercial vehicle to keep costs down ideally a LWB version. VW Transporters are all well and good, until you look at the cost that is, so I've been looking at alternatives. I can't however, find many opinions on the 2014 onwards Vitos (think they're called the 447). Are they any good? Do they rust like the older Vitos? Are there any common problems, and are these easy to fix?
Thanks in advance!

[Djtemeka]

At that age, look at parts costs and dealer prices. Vauxhall dealers charge £150/hr servicing so go to an Indy.
Vans at that age are still expensive due to availability

[stevemcs]

The T5/6 do hold there money well, however my money would go on a Transit, Vito or Vivaro, The spec on the Transit is very good and they drive well, on short trips they can ask for more frequent oil changes though. Vitos have very few problems and drive well too.

[martin mrt]

I’ve had 4 T5s before they were wildly overpriced due to the popularity, and I really liked them but from a pure value for money point of view I’d buy a Vito over one

Infact if I was to buy another van that size I would buy a Vito

[gazza285]

Transit all day long for me, I cannot speak for the Vito, but all the other vans of that size have let me down at some point. However I wouldn’t buy a Vito as Merc commercials do seem to lack rustproofing.

[Clarkedontgo]

Have a look at a Hyundai Iload , way more reliable than a t5 , avoid the newer transits , the engines are made of chocolate especially the 2.0

[gazza285]

Clarkedontgo said:

Have a look at a Hyundai Iload , way more reliable than a t5 , avoid the newer transits , the engines are made of chocolate especially the 2.0

We lease Transits at work, and we are just in the process of swapping the old for new. They have between 60k and 90k on them and not one has given us the slightest bit of trouble.

Our 17 plate vans went back last year, same story, but these were replaced with Renaults, which have been reliable, but don’t half drink oil.

[Venisonpie]

Meekey675 said:

Hi! New to the forum. Starting the research process for a new van. I'll probably end up buying an ex-commercial vehicle to keep costs down ideally a LWB version. VW Transporters are all well and good, until you look at the cost that is, so I've been looking at alternatives. I can't however, find many opinions on the 2014 onwards Vitos (think they're called the 447). Are they any good? Do they rust like the older Vitos? Are there any common problems, and are these easy to fix?
Thanks in advance!

I run 350 Van's consisting of circa 80 Vitos, similar number of Ford Customs and a selection of others.
The Vitos are easily the most durable particularly in auto form. Pence per mile maintenance is about 6.5 vs > 9 for the Fords.
We have had 11 (at last count) engine failures in the Custom's / Transits and about 4 in the Ford Connects. The Vito drivetrain is bomb proof, they suffer from the odd dpf sensor but otherwise it's just consumables.
If you must buy a Ford I'd recommend pre 2016 for durability however it won't be ulez compliant if that's important. Any Ford diesel engine post 2016 is a liability.

[sp222]

Along the same lines as you, I recently looked at T6/Tourneo/V Class, around 3 years old.

I've driven a few transporters, but wasn't convinced - I live down in Cornwall and there are stloads of them here - for the price they commanded I just thought they weren't that great, especially inside.

Looked at Tourneo's and although they looked decent, the price wasn't that far (at the time!!) off a V-Class.

We wanted a 7+ seater with a large boot for two dogs.

picked up an 18 plate V220D, which wasn't my first preference (wanted a V250D), but for a family bus it's great - interior is excellent and very comfy. You can take the seats out but they are really heavy and a massive PITA to move.

Unsure about the rustproofing point - I know Vitos around early 2000's were terrible, but surely they have improved this since..

[flatso]

Viano 3.0 CDI, smooth V6 diesel with slushbox, more comfortable suspension then the rivals. The post facelift models (after 2010) have vastly improved rust protection.

[Meekey675]

Venisonpie said:

I run 350 Van's consisting of circa 80 Vitos, similar number of Ford Customs and a selection of others.
The Vitos are easily the most durable particularly in auto form. Pence per mile maintenance is about 6.5 vs > 9 for the Fords.
We have had 11 (at last count) engine failures in the Custom's / Transits and about 4 in the Ford Connects. The Vito drivetrain is bomb proof, they suffer from the odd dpf sensor but otherwise it's just consumables.
If you must buy a Ford I'd recommend pre 2016 for durability however it won't be ulez compliant if that's important. Any Ford diesel engine post 2016 is a liability.

Very interesting! Thanks a lot for your input, especially as you run so many vans - Any issues with rustproofing at all? People seem to think there may be a difference between the commercial vitos and the people carrier ones - Can't really see why this would be the case in all honesty!

[stevemcs]

The newer Vito's don't seem to rust

[Venisonpie]

Meekey675 said:

Very interesting! Thanks a lot for your input, especially as you run so many vans - Any issues with rustproofing at all? People seem to think there may be a difference between the commercial vitos and the people carrier ones - Can't really see why this would be the case in all honesty!

Mine are all 8 seater tourers, the oldest on fleet is a 62 plate. No issues with rust at all.