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In reply to Post #32
My Tax is £12 something per month direct debit on a LWB VW Transporter T32.
Possibly new vans are getting stung?
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In reply to Post #51
That's right belch. From advice given I need to avoid wet belts apparently, be aware of vat expensive tax and insurance. Main decision is whether I buy a van big enough to fix a bedchair inside or just a smaller version for approx 6 grand.
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In reply to Post #50
A bike 
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In reply to Post #1
So reading through this thread I'm even more confused - what is the best / most reliable fishing van for £6k?
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In reply to Post #47
3 years I owed one. Cost me one set of tyres and brake pads. Literally never went wrong.
Was a 2010 1.9 model and I’d have another tomorrow
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In reply to Post #47
The newer Partner/Berlingo/Vauxhall are all basically the same. I have a 19 plate Rifter, I'd be very wary of the petrol and certain of the diesels due to wet belt and cam chains. There are some contributory schemes available but only with full dealer service history. The 7mm chain version requires quite a bit of work to convert to the 8mm version (see kits on Ebay).
The adblue systems are a pita and I don't trust it, our latest injector has gone faulty after 14000 miles, yes it's under warranty but they still want £150 just to confirm it with a diag.
A youtube mechanic I've been watching said avoid the Vauxhall vans and buy the Pug/Cit equivalent.
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In reply to Post #2
I wouldn't touch a VW Caddy with a barge pole, I've never spoken to an owner and heard positive feedback regarding reliability.
Pug/Cit Berlingo/Partners get good feedback, the Partner has been available in an XL size for quite some time and also Renault Kangoo Maxi's get good feedback.
Don't whatever you do think/expect that Vw/ German brands = Reliability as the opposite is usually the norm in my experience.
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In reply to Post #9
I have a 19 plate combo with only 35k on the clock, had a few issues including the dreaded adblue problems, last year the water pump was leaking so had it done plus cam belt changed and its deffo not a wet belt, the mechanic said only the petrol versions have the wet belt.
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I have a Vito. 2016 crew cab comfortably transports 3 of us and all our gear for a week in France. although it only has the 1600 Renault engine but on a run on uk motorways will average 50mpg if you set the cruise control at 70mph. had it from new now covered 86000 miles with no big dramas. new battery last year a few tyres over the years and a rear ABS sensor. and 1 glow plug. the engine is chain driven so no nasty wet belts. i do change the oil every 10000 miles i think Mercedes recommend oil changes at 24000 miles but for £50 just do the oil and filter myself. it happily trundles down the French motorways at 85mph and averages 43 mpg at that speed. the only minor downside is if you show it a very steep hill it has a touch of asthma.
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I thought about getting myself a Vito but compared to other vans the technology and the cab lay out ,gadgets etc etc is far behind it’s competitors
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In reply to Post #42
Here’s a couple from me
A Vivaro driver since an 02 plate and all from brand new until company change them.
Size wise
Old shape was great new shape seat uncomfortable as it’s too narrow and not enough padding
02 only problem I had was a split steering hose 75k
55 plate clutch wore out 72k
60 plate crew cab nothing went tyres lasted years
All 1900 engines.
Then I got given new shape combo
Absolute dog doo and too small for anything other than a 2 foot square box lol
During Covid breakout I then went and bought a transit custom on a 64 plate
Couldn’t fault that plenty of room
only problem is
You do have to do a fair few miles otherwise the DPF filter clogs up and you then Have to get it cleaned.
That is the same with any diesel vehicle though.
This was Swapped weekly with a brand new transit custom crew from work.
So I used theirs on long trips and work business.
This new shape Vivaro 22 plate and 1600 engine.
I have done 71k miles already
Same rear tyres and brakes
Front pads and tyres changed at service in March.
As mentioned earlier
Seat isn’t quite wide enough so bar under seat digs in sciatic nerve.
Solved so far with pipe lagging between bar and under seat padding.
No problems so far….
Never driven a VW of any shape or form except a Passat and a bora.
Might ask boss if I can test one of those when van up for renewal…
Merc vitos are quite nice and wouldn’t mind having a longer test drive in one of those for a month or so but cost is probably prohibitive.
driven the older model and a mate of mine has quite a new one.
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In reply to Post #41
Lol framey, just grateful of a few hints of what to be aware of so it's a big yes to the forum from me, probably end up with a Nissan nv200 for size purposes but when I look I will heed the advice from here whatever I buy.
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So,
In conclusion.
Ford is better than Vw or Vauxhall
But the Vauxhall is better than the Ford or VW provided the VW is not better than the Ford or Vauxhall.
Hope that helps with your choice .
Kinda like a fox or delkim alarm thread innit..
 
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I normally replace my van every 3 yrs whilst it’s still worth a few quid and when the warranty expires don’t think I’ll be doing it this time the Vw transporter has just become the Vw transit with wet belt inc free no thanks I’ll run this one into the ground and then see what’s available like the vito but detest merc customer care so much I sold my vito at 18 months old and went back to my Vw had a few traffic still got one normally great up to 150k if well maintained
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In reply to Post #36
The Custom auto I've been looking at has considerably come down in price but that will be replacing my 2015 manual. it depends what age, spec and milage your looking for i suppose.
Buying a nearly new van is still very expensive.
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Do not even consider a wet belt. Ever.
Read up on ford ecoboost problems, the same is true for all wet belts.
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In reply to Post #34
Disagree, we've just replaced one of ours a matter of weeks ago and the prices are still very high
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https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202504211546865?sort=price-asc&searchId=8ad14117-a358-45be-bbbe-124923914a92&advertising-location=at_vans&make=TOYOTA&model=PROACE&page=2&postcode=NG15GA&price-from=500&fromsra
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If your not concerned about a particular make/model and not fussy on spec then you’ll be in a better position, if you buy based on condition/service history then you should get something decent for 6k
I’ve had mainly vw’s, mostly with success but anything and everything has the potential to go wrong! I’ve currently got a caddy maxi that I use for commuting/fishing and a crafter as a camper, both nice to drive but heavy to tax! Do sometimes wonder if I could get by with an estate instead of the caddy
A transporter is a good size for actually sleeping in, I had a lwb with a tailgate for years and it was great for fishing out of! The early ones have come down in price more recently too, i would go for the 1.9 rather than the 2.5 engine if you get one
I like the caddy maxi its a really good size for gear but maybe not the best in terms of actually fishing out of, drives like a car aswell but as above I feel the tax is fairly hefty for what it is.
Everyone says stay away from the trafic/vivaro but I had a trafic crew cab for 3/4 years and it was a belting van,they do suffer with a few issues but at least they are common/known problems, so if you get those covered or look out for one that’s had them sorted you should be good, they do tend to be better value for money than the vw’s & mercs
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In reply to Post #22
They went up loads in covid due to courier wanting owner drivers in vans, the price has came down quiet a lot.
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In reply to Post #32
No my transit is around £400
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In reply to Post #17
I’m pretty sure that all vans are now £600 car tax
I moved over to an estate car, better mileage, more comfort, extra seats if needed
Miss being able to put the full barrow straight in the back but it’s something I can live without
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In reply to Post #28
Not really no. The Renault tragic in all it's different guises are really not great, there are only so many about because they are cheaper than most. The problem the op is likely to have is any van on that kind of budget is very likely to cost a lot to keep on the road unless he gets very lucky
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In reply to Post #23
I did that with mine
Hit hurts lol
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In reply to Post #28
The post 2016 transits are awful yes but the chain ones previously have hardly any issues.
Trafics and vivaros have gearbox issues on older models which is costly. Not sure about the newer ones but when I was looking the newer ones seem cheap...I think because they're only a 1.6 engine which is not big enough for a big van imo.
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In reply to Post #27
I think that statement is valid for pretty much all vehicles new or old. Always someone with bad experiences etc etc. Honestly all you can do is buy one with the best service history you can find, get some sort of warranty if possible and then regularly service it.
The Transit Custom is often cited in reliability indexes as one of the most reliable but a quick search online will bring hundreds of horror stories on the welt belt system for example.
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In reply to Post #26
Honestly don't. For every decent one there are 3 poor ones, and they can easily become money pits , especially when over 100k or so. My firm runs 6 of them and other than the 2 newest ones they've all had multiple costly issues, and are all under 150k
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In reply to Post #25
Vivaro potentially a good shout thanks
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In reply to Post #1
Personally I would have a look at Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro. Same van with different badge. Solid engines (2.0 is a chain) and likely get a 2014 for that budget which is last year of that model. I have a 59 plate that is currently on 225k miles and owned for 8 years.
Sport/sportive version has air con and given so many around spares/repairs are cheap.
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In reply to Post #11
And the price of these is about to fall through the floor with the new BIK decision by HMRC, my Ranger is going as I have it through work and replacing with Ford Transit Custom.
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In reply to Post #20
Normally if a van doesn’t have vat added to it is because someone has taken the hit for private use so you can’t claim the vat back.
Mine was £10000 plus vat, I’ve not claimed the vat back so when itI sold it will be vat free.
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In reply to Post #21
Eh? Since covid the price of vans has gone up a lot.
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In reply to Post #20
I was the same but it seems the price of private sales are pretty much the same as + vat its just hidden, since covid the price of vans have came down.
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In reply to Post #18
I had my transit custom on SDP
Only other real problem is in MOST cases you need to add VAT onto the purchase price.
So it does go up in purchase price
Lucky if you can find someone who doesn’t charge vat
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In reply to Post #16
I've always used Hastings or Aviva and they both honour van - car no claims and visa versa.
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In reply to Post #17
Its a commercial vehicle but you don't have to insure it under a commercial if your not using it through as a business.
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In reply to Post #14
Did I say you couldn't? I said it's a commercial vehicle so you'll pay more on tax, and a van is more on insurance usually because they get broken into!
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In reply to Post #15
I only found done that would give me half the equivalent no claims bonus what I had on the car.
Even my car insurers wouldn’t do it.
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In reply to Post #12
Also not true, some policies wont let you but most will.
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In reply to Post #10
That's not true, you can insure any van on a personal policy (non-commerical) my custom is cheaper to insurance than my Audi Q5.
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In reply to Post #12
All very good information thank you gents, main thing I need for health purposes is a bed chair to save me erecting my titan.
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One thing with vans and most insurers
They will not let you transfer any no claims bonus across.
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In reply to Post #10
I use a pickup... Ok I can't wheel my loaded barrow in and out of it, but it swallows everything I need and is great for wet smelly nets and dogs.
For loading, I wheel the part loaded barrow up via an aluminium ramp, and chuck everything else I need in and around that. The rod bag fits nicely inside the cabin, with both 12 and 10ft rods.
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In reply to Post #9
I think you're right. And so do vws I believe.
My mate has a brand new crafter for work and the turbos gone just over 1000 miles!
I have a 65 plate transit and it that goes I'll get another the same year with the cam chain.
One thing to bare in mind in regards to a van is it's a commercial vehicle so you'll pay more on tax and insurance. Also vans are thirsty and the older ones aren't ULEV. If I was getting a vehicle just solely for fishing I'd be looking at an estate or SUV type.
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In reply to Post #8
I believe the PSA vans (Peugeot, Citroen etc) of that age also use wet belts. And suffer the same problems the Fords do, if they haven't been looked after.
That might be part of the price drop.
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In reply to Post #7
Is there enough room for the bedchair to sleep on bob please? Massive price drop when you move towards citroen, Renault or Peugeot which I understand but not fussed about image just want something reliable.
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In reply to Post #1
I got a 2019 Peugeot Partner van for around that sort of price. Very happy with it but the rods do have to go via the hatch into the cab.
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In reply to Post #4
I agree i have a 2015 ford transit custom SWB and perfect for fishing and every day use.
Mine was a crew cab but ended up removing the seats and now is just a panel van with twin sliding doors and windows
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In reply to Post #4
Very helpful karmh thank you
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You'd probably get a decent transit custom with around 100k on for that with cam chain and not belt which is by far the better version (pre 2016).
Vitos are quite small and have sliding doors on both sides I believe which could be a plus or a hindrance.
Id say if you don't plan on leaving stuff in there worth robbing then windows probably best bet.
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In reply to Post #1
Tbh 6 grand won't get you much, van prices are through the roof at the moment. You're likely to be looking at something pretty old on high mileage , and vans tend to get hammered.
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Not my thing but this is from an old acquaintance of mine who converted his van for that exact purpose. At the end of the video he goes through the things he adjusted and why. Subs in english on and there are some good tips to be had:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c-2-zzWNZxs&pp=ygUQRm94IHJvZWxvZiBzY2h1dA%3D%3D
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Looking to spend no more than £6000 on a medium sized van mainly to fish from my bedchair being fixed in the van, any tips and things to avoid please? Would windows increase or decrease the likelihood of it being broke into? Also Van's to avoid or go for would be appreciated, I like the mercedes vito but not started seriously looking yet.
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