Experiences with Vauxhall vans please, I'm buying one

[Graham Orm]

It's time to start thinking about a replacement van. The one I have is a Peugeot Boxer I bought new in 2006. I wouldn't have another one given to me. Nuff said on that.

I've surfed the van sites and the one that's going to be best fit for me and my pocket is the Vauxhall Movano I think.

Has anyone any tales to tell good or bad?

 

[HOJ]

I think the Movano is a rebadged version of the Renault Master, I had a Vauxhall Vivaro from new but it started to show symptoms of issues after a couple of years,so chopped it in for a Master, which I have to say has been brilliant, voluminous, drives very well, but needs a big turning circle, nightmare to park in town, as its long-wheel base, but, it has developed a whine in the gearbox at 65,000 miles, which I have heard is common fault.

 

[Graham Orm]

Thanks HOJ. My mate in the trade says nothing French or Italian, but it's hard to differentiate they all seem to have the same shell. I looked at a transit and it had a very similar console to my Peugeot and identical seats.

 

[Flynnwood]

It's time to start thinking about a replacement van. The one I have is a Peugeot Boxer I bought new in 2006. I wouldn't have another one given to me. Nuff said on that.

I've surfed the van sites and the one that's going to be best fit for me and my pocket is the Vauxhall Movano I think.

Has anyone any tales to tell good or bad?

Try this forum - it might also be worth joining to ask questions about common problems etc. :wink:

http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/ ... forum.174/

 

[Graham Orm]

Thanks Flynwood ;-) Just had a look, lots of negatives on there. Might have to keep saving and think about a Sprinter.

 

[Max Power]

Wise decision Graham, I've had four new sprinters and would be very unlikely to go for anything else.

 

[Lons]

Thanks Flynwood ;-) Just had a look, lots of negatives on there. Might have to keep saving and think about a Sprinter.

Worth a look at VW as well.
I've had a couple of transporters, current is a LWB 2.5 tdi 174 bhp and they've been superb. This one is an 07 with 98 k now and I've had it 4 years. Selling it soon as I'm retiring and will miss it.
I had a Renault traffic in between and it was ok but chalk and cheese tbh.

My mate has just bought a top of the range sprinter btw and in 6 months it's been in for major engine and gearbox work 3 times. Unlucky I guess as his previous one was ok

Cheers
Bob

 

[Graham Orm]

You just never know. I always though Peugeot were bullet proof. My boxer went in 15 times in it's first year from new with electrical faults. On 4 occasions the central locking wouldn't lock and I ended up leaving it overnight unlocked. It's been OK after that first year but have just had the clutch, fuel pump and ERG (?) valve. Not much change out of £1500 there.

 

[murdoch]

don't buy a Vauxhall!! I bought a nearly new vivaro a few years ago. They look good, drive well and don't rust but the quality is rubbish and it's always breaking down. In the last few years it's had 4 new injectors (£2000) reconditioned gearbox (£1500) clutch has gone 3 times (£300 each) and loads of other problems like alternator, fuel pump, electric faults, I could go on and on. Everyone warned me but I was seduced by looks and the thought of no rust after driving a rusty Mercedes for years.

I think that quality control is so low that it's luck with most vans nowadays.

 

[Paul Dye]

Personally I wouldn't touch a french vehicle, or a variant, such as Vauxhall. Too many electrical issues. The VW is a good vehicle and the Mercs are not as bulletproof as they once were but are still a good bet. The Transits still do a good job.
I work in the motor trade so I do not want to recommend a particular van, will always come back and bite me in the a**e.
Just remember that there can always be an issue, no matter what the make, I would always use a main dealer to get a properly backed warranty, they do not offer bumper to bumper cover but they will offer you better protection than not having one, plus the breakdown cover. A main dealer is also likely to offer a replacement van if you need one.

 

[Graham Orm]

Thanks Paul. Good advice.