Help need a bit of feedback on which van to buy

[Deleted member 5518]

After having a nightmare with a Vauxhall Vivaro which let me down and cost me a small fortune, I'm looking for something reliable. I've narrowed it down to Citroen Dispatch 2 litre or a Fiat Scudo. (somewhere between a 2008/2010 reg)

Has anyone had either good or bad experiences of any of these. Just don't know which way to go. Need to purchase something in the next couple of days. Feedback much appreciated.

 

[White Room]

Has it been that bad with the Vivaro....

 

[CJ]

Speak to anyone........I bet a lot have some sort of bad experience with ALL the different vans. It's hit or miss sometimes.

 

[charlie1]

I had a scudo for 2 years, probably the worst van I have ever had. Here is a list of things that went wrong with it. 07 plate with 65000 mls

turbo £800
cracked engine (top) £900
gearbox synchro £500

... Nice van to drive though.

i now have a vw transporter, very reliable and holds its value better than any other van

 

[Stef]

I've got an 08 plate Primastar, had it 4 years & it's only the top suspension mount (common fault) that has ever went wrong.
It hasn't missed a beat, brilliant van.

 

[Gazzer]

All depends on previous owners and how they were used abused and serviced.

 

[Qwerty]

All depends on previous owners and how they were used abused and serviced.

Agreed. My vivaro is a 2008 van with just under 180000 miles on it! It runs like new, but as with anything.....it has had money spent on it when needed. Last 12 months has seen a new clutch, 2 new injectors & new rear discs & pads. Will likely need new drop links in next few months then should be good for a long spell of garage free motoring. I got the van for a steal so am still in pocket, but I bought my one because it was a one owner, full service history with every tiny issue rectified at main dealer type of van. I was looking at lower mileage, less cared for vans that were bound to be a lot more problematic.

 

[merit]

got my vivaro on a 2006 plate at two years old, ive seviced it regular, still only 70 k on it but still spent money on it
clutch is a common prblem, also accelarator , all vans can be a costly do , do your research as best you can ,service history, low miles, main dealers are things i looked at,sometimes you pay your money take a chance,some good deals on leasing if thats an option, change it every three years

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

Just about to get my new vivaro 2014, i will look after it the same as my renault traffic, which is FOR SALE if anyone is interested !, i hope it runs well .......

 

[steve187]

if you go for the scudo/peugeot/citreon van get the 2.0hdi its better on fuel.

 

[Chalker]

Boroughbridge plumbing and heating ( near you) run two scudo's. thay have spent a or tune on them. Everything that cn go wrong, has. Even replacing the clutch you have to remove all the front brake pipes.

Dont buy either. They are a pile of poo.

get a transit. They may not look good, but will serve you well amd parts are reasonable.

 

[judge]

Just about to get my new vivaro 2014, i will look after it the same as my renault traffic, which is FOR SALE if anyone is interested !, i hope it runs well .......

Just ordered mine today with vans direct too !!!Did you have finance on the van dave ? I couldnt get the price down to what you had yours for but Mark said it was because im buying it outright

 

[One Day]

I had an old but look-after peugeot partner with 180k on it. The old 1.9d non turbo.
The best vehicle I ever owned.
Now I have a Transit Connect lwb which is lovely but so much more complicated, although being Ford, hopefully pretty economical to maintain.

- - - Updated - - -

Just ordered mine today with vans direct too !!!Did you have finance on the van dave ? I couldnt get the price down to what you had yours for but Mark said it was because im buying it outright

Stupid world when you have to pay more for paying in full!?

 

[lizzardtong]

if i would going to buy another van i would consider running costs, road tax, fuel consumption, insurance, prices of parts and reliability. everything brakes down as its to complicated due to so called saving enviroment. if i woulnt care about above i woukd go for swb ducato 3.0

 

[widler]

I had a peugeot expert, great van, until the lad who works for me got hold of it, then blew up
I have a 09 vito, even better van.
Id steer clear of the fiat , never heard a good thing about scudos, ever

 

[AETilingFloorin]

Best van I ever owned was a small vauxhall combo, had a small fire in the cab - no problems, leaked oil but levels never went down, could take corners beautifully. Called it the 'stealth van' after we painted it matt black.

My advice get a transit never realy known much to go wrong from my experience and even if it does they are so common you will always find parts.

 

[AETilingFloorin]

I had a peugeot expert, great van, until the lad who works for me got hold of it, then blew up
I have a 09 vito, even better van.
Id steer clear of the fiat , never heard a good thing about scudos, ever

Fiat have loads of problems, I currently drive a ducato and it has all the common problems.

 

[Andy Allen]

I need a new van...

 

[Andy Allen]

Just about to get my new vivaro 2014, i will look after it the same as my renault traffic, which is FOR SALE if anyone is interested !, i hope it runs well .......

how much you want for your old van dave..?

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

TO you mate £1650.0 mate , you could see it next week as i have a new job over the cotswolds if you want Andy.

 

[Andy Allen]

TO you mate £1650.0 mate , you could see it next week as i have a new job over the cotswolds if you want Andy.

a few questions dave, if I may..
what year is it
service history?
how many miles has it done...(has it been to the moon and back)
have you had any work done to it recently....gearbox ,clutch ect
and what is the general condition like..
and if I buy will you walk home from the Cotswolds..lol

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

1) 04.
2)i have serviced regularly as i always do, but not stamped as i go to a cheaper garage, and buy my own stuff from BMF,.
3) 151,000,ish.
4)I think flywheel on clutch about 4 months ago.
5) not bad, dent in wheel arch /passenger door, door work fine !, back door handle needs sorting ,going funny, few scratches here and there nothing to noticeable, the lights on the radio/cd player not working, but the player still works,.
6 its silver colour , slight tint to the windows, electric windows ,AC , seats have always been covered so should be good underneath , thats all i can think of .......

 

[lizzardtong]

1) 04.
2)i have serviced regularly as i always do, but not stamped as i go to a cheaper garage, and buy my own stuff from BMF,.
3) 151,000,ish.
4)I think flywheel on clutch about 4 months ago.
5) not bad, dent in wheel arch /passenger door, door work fine !, back door handle needs sorting ,going funny, few scratches here and there nothing to noticeable, the lights on the radio/cd player not working, but the player still works,.
6 its silver colour , slight tint to the windows, electric windows ,AC , seats have always been covered so should be good underneath , thats all i can think of .......

and its Lwb?

 

[Andy Allen]

couldn't email me some pics could you [email protected]


or post some on here..

forgot to ask any tax and mot on it..

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

[video=youtube;qfoqZovPKoA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfoqZovPKoA[/video] [video=youtube;_8dc6dbk7Ts]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8dc6dbk7Ts[/video] at the star of these is a picture of it ,9-10 months mot, tax 3 months,

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

and its Lwb?

No the Renault traffic is SWB Mate , my new -one is LWB.

 

[lizzardtong]

that extra 40cm makes a lot of difference

 

[Andy Allen]

No the Renault traffic is SWB Mate , my new -one is LWB.

looking at a transit today dave, if that's a pile of poo where you working next week..?

 

[beanz]

I have a long wheelbase, high top, transit connect, with two side doors.. I have to say, it's perfect for me.. I don't even have to get in the back, as you can get to everything from one door, or another. ply and plasterboard have to go on the roof, which is a bit of a pain, but not the end of the world...