Small van help needed.

I know this has been asked loads of times before but I used to own a vito which although a little old was awesome for days out and camping trips not so good for commuting or day to day use.

I’ve currently got a Fabia estate with a tow bar (current bike just about fits inside with front wheel off but it’s tight).

Car is great owes me nothing and is good on fuel but would like to get out a lot this year and putting everything in a van is appealing.

Would love a caddy that’s been modified but money kinda puts off also don’t want anything easy to break into or steal.

What would you guys be buying or consider?

Up to 25k.

Thanks in advance

My son just had a £3.k Vauxhall Combo lwb (almost same as Fiat Doblo).

Long enough for a bed. Big enough for a bike next to bed, both wheels on.

1.3cdti was efficient and cheap.

I was really surprised by how good it was.

He didn’t properly convert as he only had it 6 moths, but a wee bed and storage would have been easy.

Not big, not glamorous, but good. Very good.

25k is quite a budget for a small van. You can get good condition LWB Caddy’s for about 10k (high mileage though). I’d be plumping for one of those removable kits for bed/storage/etc. A friend of mine toured Europe for about 3 months with one in the back of her Berlingo. I loved my Kangoo many years ago. As long as you don’t expect “car like” refinement, I reckon most vans nowadays are pretty darned good. I’ll be getting one when my current car wears out, but I’ve turned fussy and will be looking fit all sorts of extras (adaptive cruise control, automatic, etc.) and I’ll be trying to retrofit old Volvo or similar sears. Ah the dream.

Back to your original question, I don’t think you can really go wrong with a Berlingo, Kangoo (or Nissan equivalent), Caddy, Mercedes thing, Transit connect, or a Combo.

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A mate had this for sale last week, not sure if its been sold but could be worth a look

A mate had this for sale last week, not sure if its been sold but could be worth a look

Bit of a discrepancy between the picture and the description – or in the Movano hidden  inside the Vivaro ?

people carrier versions (berlingo/caddy maxi life etc) count are cars which means – more comfort features, cheaper tolls and insurance, less likely to get broken into in search of tools etc.

With a dark tint on the back windows a bike in the back isn’t visible unless you’re right next to it.

Bit of a discrepancy between the picture and the description – or in the Movano hidden  inside the Vivaro ?

I must admit I hadn’t noticed that

Thanks everyone.

I keep looking at berlingos etc but just cannot get over the looks probably the best value and most practical to be honest.

Caddy maxi life while a lot better looks wise are stupid money compared to berlingo.

I think my 25k budget was a bit much to be honest probably 15k more realistic so I can actually do stuff this year.

Standard suggest what you’ve got but Mercedes Citan XLWB is tough to beat for a versatile, ‘small’ van.

5 seats, long enough to get bikes in without removing any wheels (with 1 or 2 back seats down). Long enough to sleep in and small enough to park easily.

We’re only just about outgrown ours now that daughter is about to need a bigger bike but it’s swallowed two big bikes plus a small Frog bike without issue.

It’s a long Kangoo with a couple of refinements, essentially.

I keep looking at berlingos etc but just cannot get over the looks probably the best value and most practical to be honest.

The car versions in LWB are brilliant. I found the Fiat versions better thought out with more cubbys and storage.

A van version is no cheaper tax than a larger van though. There’s someone in work car park with a Fiat Doblo LWB car. Stripped out, silver window tints, a boot jump thing and bike rack. Brilliant wee one person van.

When we were looking at vans for our daughter we ended up with a Tourneo Connect 1.6 Ecoboost. Great spec. Car insurance and when she wanted to camp in it the rear seats come out. She has been allover the UK and Europe in it. Riding and racing

It will be me for some solo trips and then me and my son for longer weekends away and things.

Have not looked at the Mercedes so off for more Google fun.

I think the car versions might be the answer but I’m a bit funny with looks would like it to look ok but not lowered on big wheels etc.

Tracey that looks just the ticket really only thing that would put me off is the wet belt engine heard and seen lots of horror stories.

This one dosent have the wet belt

I’m about to go for a Vivaro Life or Pug Traveller. Camping bike hauler and occasional overnight with a bed kit that sits in the boot

only thing that would put me off is the wet belt engine heard and seen lots of horror stories.

I may have been dreaming but I think VW use a wet belt for the oil pump drive these days too.

We’ve used Connects and Customs for our work vans since 2014. Zero belt issues. Plenty of other issues, they get a hard life.

Ive had 4 Connects, until the current Caddy/Connect totally reliable.

The Customs in the past had issues with doors from the hard life, security and recently a gearbox fault (under warranty).

Nissan Townstar L2.

1.3 turbo petrol. Chain cam. No adblue. Allegedly drives well. Joint venture with Renault and is well rated.

If I wanted a small van, that would be the sole contender…..

only thing that would put me off is the wet belt engine heard and seen lots of horror stories.

The main issue is not following service intervals, and using the wrong oil. My Ford has the EcoBoost 1.0 engine, it had a 40,000 mile service in November, although the mileage was actually 34,000, the oil change indicator was showing, and my Ford dealer said it was either/or. I’m not a high-mileage owner, even less now, but it’s still something I’ll keep an eye on. Great engine, 125bhp from a 1.0 three cylinder, pulls like a train.

As is often the case, you only ever hear about the ones that have had issues, not the many thousands of vehicles with the same type of engine that have never given any problems.

the wet belt engine heard and seen lots of horror stories.

I’ve got a transit custom, just had the belt done at 90k, signs of delamination. Just budget to get it done properly by a mobile specialist with the oil pickup cleaned out and oil changes more frequently.

I keep looking at berlingos etc but just cannot get over the looks probably the best value and most practical to be honest.

Get over it.  The coolest vehicle is one that fits your needs perfectly.

re Caddy pricing, latest caddy is the same vehicle as the Ford Torneo Connect, but last time I looked the Ford was a chunk cheaper for the equivalent spec.   Ford Torneo Courier is smaller (probably no good for sleeping in) but I really like the design.