Is there any point looking beyond a t5 transporter in the used mid size panel van market?
I'm looking at used vans around £10k with under 40k miles.
I can get far newer Lower mileage vans like a Renault traffic (incl the 150 bhp 2.5) vivaro or transit for the same money as the vw, but I'd assume the vw will hold its value better.
I'd be only keeping it 3 years and it would be sold with under 70k on the clock!
It's a works vehicle so cheap maintenance would be ideal but fuel economy not critical as dont do big mileages!
Also will be used for towing a few times a year so want to avoid the more modern 1.6 lite power plants.
Thanks

i think you have answered your own question, renaults are ok but the interior trim crumbles to dust when they get on a bit, transits seem to like rust and have a habit of being stolen, the T5 is brilliant all round hence the price.
have you looked at hyundai or kia offerings, they are good but lack the badge appeal so are a lot cheaper.

I had looked at the Hyundai Iload but heard some serious horror stories with the 2.5l unit. They are also very expensive!
A mate of mine has the primastar (nissans version of traffic) and it's 10 years old and interior fully in tact!

[Edited on 5/1/18 by daniel mason]

I run t5's through work, generally having them for 4 years and doing approx 30k miles per year. I'm currently on my third and I had a t4 before my first t5.
Hands down the best built, most reliable of the lot as was the t4.
The t5's have got progressively more cheaply build; paint marks more easily, bodywork thinner, seat fabrics showing wear.
All three t5's have had work done under warranty, emission sensors on the first, drive shaft on the second, ignition barrel on the third.
Each has progressively needed more attention to particulate warning lights periodically coming on, I don't do stop-start style town driving but it still comes on approx once a month😡
Sadly it's the residual values that keep me coming back because no other van is worth much after 4 years with 110k on them but whilst my t4, which I brought second hand at auction with 60k miles on it and would have driven it to the moon and back, I wouldn't buy a 3 year old t5 without a warranty. Service interval is way too long 20k plus miles, so the engines are full of sludge, by the time they're on the used market, plenty of reports of cam's failing, even towards the end of the full warranty this can happen.
I know it sounds hypocritical, that I've had three but i'm quite down on it. It's just that each has been progressively more disappointing, from a new van, business purchase perspective, it still makes sence (because of the residual value). I'm actually going to a fiat Ducato next as it's about the only non add-blue option. That being a compromise too far , for me, on the t6

don’t dismiss the 1.6 bi-turbo engine that is fitted to the renault/nissan/vauxhall/fiat clone vans. It is an epic engine, I have a 125hp hi-top and it pulls like a train throughout the revs however is quite a bit thirstier than the previous single turbo renault traffic engines.

I would also question renault traffic reliability.

Heard a few horror stories regarding the smaller diesel turbos - although mainly the ford unit.
Strange to hear the t5 troubles! Were the problems present before 70k miles or just later in your ownership and higher miles?
Thanks

Particulate filter warning light isn't a "biggie" and just takes a duel carriageway run to clear but is anoying considering I don't do much town driving. Even had it come on, a day or so after a non-stop 700mile auto-route run across Europe!
Other stuff has been infrequent enough but not limited to high miles. All three have felt tired once they've gotten past about 3 years and 90k old. Oddly the t4 never felt like it deteriated, even though it's the one I brought second hand, already three years old, already with 60k on and dig the same annual milage, as I have on the new t5s.

Each t5 has felt like, once it gets to that 3year 80 to 90k, point. Has deteriated faster than the previous. The current interia seat fabrics are shocking, not fit for purpose in a van. My current van, just short of 90k has worn through on the drivers armrest and the side of the seat. I could list several areas where the current van is more cheaply made than the one I traded-in 3 years ago and again the four years to the one before that.

I don't think these issues are limited to vw or the t5, engineers are just getting better at designing stuff to "just" see-out the warranty period. Sad but true!

I have a 57 plate Renault Trafic (same as Vivaro) which i bought at a year old... now has 98,000 on clock, apart from normal servicing parts the only major problems ive had are a fuel pump (replaced under warranty), split radiator water pipes and last year an injector needed replacing (£460 gulp).
Bodywork still in good nick (apart from wear & tear scratches).
Good fuel economy and great workhorse.
I'd buy another one.

I think the injector issue is common,but only on certain age models around the age of yours,my mate has an 08 plate one and he’s had 3 done! But value for money they seem as good as anything

i had a 54 plate vivaro from brand new until i sold it last year really regret selling it a good comfortable fuel efficient van

Mercedes-Benz Vito?

RWD so could be used as a locost donor after its duties have been served

I also have a vivaro I use on a regular basis and have to say it's been brilliant, on the other hand I also have a lot of friends with t5's who have had a fair bit of trouble with them. I'm a vw fan myself so not at all bias

I think I’ve confused myself reading forums as I’ve been reading loads of horror stories of Vivaro doing gearboxes and clutches at less than 20k Miles.

[Edited on 7/1/18 by daniel mason]

Hi there , I’m on my second vivaro and there a great van to drive
Did 179000 in the first one and apart from services and general wear parts I had to replace
One front Caliper and gearbox selecter shaft . Have now done 25000 mile in a new one with
No problems

Thank
Graham

Be careful of certain era-T5's, I think 2011 with the 2.0 turbo diesel engine.

My parents bought one with 100k on it. It was a Caravelle but as far as I know they are all the same. Shortly after having it it had a total engine failure requiring complete replacement. About £6k, and that was with a VW specialist who I know very well as did me a favour on the cost.

Reading around it seems the combined EGR cooler and coolant pre-heater breaks down and feeds bits of aluminium into the engine. Seems to be a well known problem reading around VW forums. It is only on one particular engine for around a year.

We are currently trying to get some redress from VW essentially saying that their product did not 'last a reasonable amount of time' as required by sale of goods act. Not sure how far we will get but worth a shot.

Chris

unfortunately people are still under the impression that the Germans still make good quality vehicles they dont anymore and the price of parts for those vehicles are astronomical whilst the vivaro is actually a renault for reliability it is on a par with the German vehicles but parts prices are cheaper

Are the newer 1.6 diesels in the vivaro and traffic fit for purpose in a mid sized van and reiliable? or would the older 2.0l units be a better option?

Yes the 1.6 is a little bit better and no problems after 25000

I use my 1.9 6 speed for pulling a radical sr3 on trailer and it copes although if I had to buy again I would get the 2.5 for towing. Not sure about the newer ones

I look after a few Toyota Hiace and they seem to be very reliable. A couple have done 200,000+ miles with nothing more than basic servicing. The lower mileage ones look like brand new even though they are between 5-12 years old.
I'd say they're not as refined as the VW but if it was my money, I'd buy the Toyota....and spend the change on lots of cakes.

Thanks owelly!
I took your advice,and just took delivery of an immaculate Hiace 2.5 D4D.
It’s a little older than I wanted,and I did pay over the odds for it. But it’s a 1 owner,(pharmacy delivery vehicle) with only 27000 miles. All previous mot’s and receipts etc.
Should last me a while unless I get bored again

quote:

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Originally posted by daniel mason
Thanks owelly!
I took your advice,and just took delivery of an immaculate Hiace 2.5 D4D.
It’s a little older than I wanted,and I did pay over the odds for it. But it’s a 1 owner,(pharmacy delivery vehicle) with only 27000 miles. All previous mot’s and receipts etc.
Should last me a while unless I get bored again

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