Collecting my 2024 Ford Transit Custom Van. Is it worth the £50,000 price tag, after a 7 month wait?

Today I went and collected my brand new 2024 Ford Transit Custom van after waiting 7 months for it to arrive and having never driven one before!
Take a look at my first impressions of this new 2024 model, what's good, what's bad and how it compares to the previous model.
Vans are becoming increasingly expensive these days, are they really worth the £50,000 price tag for what you get? Let me know in the comments, could I have chosen a better van?

[@sonnyburnett8851]

The square steering wheel reminds me of the Austin Allegro in the 70s

[@GWAYGWAY1]

Not worth that high price , it is a van and it carries things. No need for the electronic which might work when new but a nightmare when it goes wrong. Vans should be simpler, nice but simple.

[@philtucker1224]

Appreciate your views, if you go back to 2010-12 you can still get good second hand examples and just put in a new drivers seat if needs be.

[@obrien1sj]

£50k to buy, but built for peanuts in Turkey. Go figure.

[@dennisthemenace1386]

Ford said some years ago they were going for a high profit lower volume model.

[@123ChrisG]

So you must think R&D costs fuck all? Think again.

[@obrien1sj]

@@123ChrisG Whatever it is, it's half as much these days, when Ford are in bed with VW for all of their commercial vehicles.

[@123ChrisG]

@@obrien1sj thats called inflation.

[@roundhouserestorations]

Can we have a video of you kitting it out?… 🤩

[@simonbowler1]

Stay tuned.....!

[@simonpetermurrell]

Simon great review bud! Hope all is well. Remember when cars use to have a choke. Giving away our age. Safe driving!!!! I don't see 50k there....

[@robfryer9962]

Great at presenting KZbin content engaging and informative 👍🏼

[@simonbowler1]

Thanks, I do my best!

[@stco2426]

I thought so too

[@barrymcglynn5871]

Great review thank you so much for the post keep safe and I'm already looking forward to updates on the van🎉

[@LeeBates-y8d]

Still the best van by far but the cost of it is ridiculous.

[@dennisthemenace1386]

No it's not worth 50K but until people stop buying them and stock builds up they will get away with it. I paid in 2020 16.5K + VAT for a brand new one with air con etc. No way is this van 2.5 times better.

[@jamesmcswiggan6095]

Bollocks

[@Aerial300]

Great vid Simon, enjoy your new van. look forward to future vids 👍

[@simonbowler1]

Thanks. We’ll do a follow up soon 👍🏻

[@whatthedeuse]

Other thing to watch out for is if you’ve had the old version the back doors don’t have the stops that prevent them from swinging to the full 180 position, if wind catches the door and parked the door can fully swing into the road 🫣😭

[@johndawson8806]

money pits! stick with my smiley lol🤣

[@Mr04051964]

@Mr04051964 0 seconds ago I have the brand new custom170ps L2 Limited, price with a few extras including vat was £44k, the independent suspension is a deal breaker, so much smoother over bumps I thought I would mention that the limited van I’ve been waiting for for a year, and I picked up in March, does pull away without the need to manually release the electronic handbrake, try it again and you will be happy. Not sure why it didn’t work for you.

[@bigdude8470]

You say it feels bigger in the back…. My first impression just looking at the old and new one is that the new one looks smaller cos it looks like the roof is a lot lower??

[@greggbutler9344]

No wonder Tradespeople charge £400 per day if the van they drive around in costs 50 k

[@sarahann530]

Why don't you buy a 2nd hand van and charge 200 a day ?

[@johannes.f.r.]

I don't really mind a squircle steering wheel. I do value my physical buttons for the ventilation and heater controls. I often have glue or dirt on my fingers at the end of the day.

[@simonbowler1]

I know what you mean.... the all digital dash will take a bit of getting used to!

[@sarahann530]

Do you not wash your hands off before finishing up a job . Smart people would use gloves but you are a manly man

[@allthingsgardenbuildings]

You should do a weather forecast one time Simon 😂 the Morgan freeman of carpentry 😂

[@simonbowler1]

😂😂😂👍🏻

[@chrisb2630]

You can turn the rev counter on Simon, it’s in the settings through the steering wheel

[@stco2426]

Well presented. Do the seat covers, rack etc from the old one fit?

[@THESTIG-cc7fq]

Regarding keyless keys might be good to get a Faraday pouch. Make it part of your work belt, l know you may work within sight of your van. But we can all let our guard down loo trip, thieves relay your key signal and a quick drive off.

[@bram1167]

Thanks for the clear and honest review. Just wondering, since yo\ur old van was only three years old, if I am not mistaken. Why did you want to replace it?

[@dennisthemenace1386]

This is why trademen charge so much. They been overcharged on the van so they will overcharge you.

[@treffer1]

That one pigeon, nearly destroyed your old van. (atleast the front window) I remember how close he was to the front. William, your nephew ❤

[@simonbowler1]

I remember that aswell! 😂😂😂

[@anthonyarnold1242]

It would only be worth 50k if it had 30k cash in the back

[@philtucker1224]

With the recent “home delivery” culture that has sprung up in the U.K. over the last five years, vans are in higher demand and subsequently values have increased in line with that..

[@mick6142]

Hope the van security on doors has been addressed or it’s a further 1k for locks and plates to be fitted

[@philtucker1224]

And there’s a waiting list!

[@Aidyscape]

Lovely van simon

[@simonbowler1]

Cheers fella 👍🏻

[@jimmypage1]

You can get 3m lengths in the L1 I do

[@s_a_m_85]

Hi Simon, in the same boat as you. Just had mine about a month now. To get the hand break to release automatically when you pull away you have to have your seatbelt on.

[@simonbowler1]

Mine seems to never release automatically, seat belt or not?!

[@Mr04051964]

There’s been a few recalls on these already, including mine, steering sensor module, (incorrect software loaded in factory) and false alarm activation, (because of high and low speed communication from the ECU) simple software. Updates. There will be more. So when yours is in, get them to check it. As there is a fault there!

[@mjelectricalcontractorsltd5127]

The auto gearbox control on the stork is brilliant just pull up and press the end button and your are straight in park mode with auto handbrake To pull off just put it in drive and press the peddle it also removes the handbrake Easy for us lazy van drivers

[@mikeddarren]

No van is worth 50000

[@joshytraylor]

He must have the air suspension and gold bloody wiring for that price 😅 I've seen then just over 40. To be fair of you get all the tech from cars you mind so much but if they are just bog standard it takes the piss a bit

[@JoshD280]

Should of brought a transporter 😂

[@joshytraylor]

@@JoshD280 over priced dogshit vw, there's a reason ford outsold them 10 to 1 and why vw have now joined ford 🤷‍♂️

[@kevinpickett7249]

The s Lets and MSRT version is £60,000 🤣

[@kevinpickett7249]

Sport version + MRST

[@philtucker1224]

I expect you can get a small Bluetooth Rev counter to dash mount if there isn’t one on-screen..

[@tomegton]

Why do you need a rev counter??

[@eamonnleacy7526]

What about lock security,

[@davidblackshaw6832]

Great Video, I currently own a 2017 T6 which i would like to change but the price has exploded. The reason i mentin this is i believe VW & Ford are producing the same van as do other manufacturers. Nissan,renault, vauxhall, citroen. £50K is a lot of money for me and a bit too much but time will tell. Also have they got rid of the wet belt system that seems to have plagued them.

[@joshytraylor]

They do now yes because the custom was out selling the transporter 10 to 1 so vw had to do something! Ford's have been better for years now.

[@jonathanbond915]

Wouldn’t pay £50k for a Transporter (older one) I had a top of the T5 new in 2015 that was £28k are the newer ones worth £20k more absolutely not. Hope you enjoy it, nice van just don’t see value for money.

[@joshytraylor]

@jonathanbond915 what's ridiculous is i know a lad that just paid 22500 for a 15 plate 2l with 130000 miles on it! I wouldn't pay that for a new transporter, the world's gone mad!

[@neilmick6778]

No latch mechanism on the rear doors? Cost saving exercise, good luck in heavy winds.

[@dendunn4288]

The old saying You can buy gold to dear! Well you just over paid for a van

[@ambydaly5713]

Hopefully it hasn’t got the rubber belt which drives the oil pump. This is a notorious bad design and very troublesome.

[@brianiswrong]

Would make more sense to have the gear box buttons were the handbrake is and the handbrake button were the gear selector is (surely you want either an auto release handbrake or the control for it at your finger tips? Also is it ford that let's you option a fold down steering wheel to balance your lunch ,error I mean a lap top on? Maybe the wheel shape makes for a better table.

[@Mr04051964]

The park brake button is on the gear selector stork. It’s the button on the end, that has a “P” on it ?

[@ambydaly5713]

That gear selection is going back to the old days. Shortage of ideas me thinks. Electric hand brakes are a pain and costly to repair compared with a lever when they go wrong.

[@user-bz9cb8bp2y]

Is any van worth 50k..., paid £100....for my 1.6 diesel.. 8 years ago.... Still going strong

[@jonjo74]

2 things Mr Bowler. 1 they are based on the new VW transporter and 2 get it to Vanfit solutions 👌

[@simonbowler1]

My understanding is that Ford and VW have collaborated, and there is plans for the internals.... stay tuned!

[@jonjo74]

Yeah, they have for their sins 😂 but it's like all vehicles now all in it together to save money.

[@davidstephens9279]

No the VW is based on the custom. Ford make it for VW like the Ranger is the amarok, VW make the caddy which will be the new connect.

[@joshytraylor]

@jonjo74 nope vw joined with ford because the custom was out selling the transporter 10-1, it's a ford design with some vw components

[@azza1793]

£50k for a FORD Transit? they used to be a good name renowned for being a good workhorse but those days are long gone

[@adumsey1164]

Have you got a deep enough pocket in your shorts to keep the key in? Or on a clip on a belt loop?

[@simonbowler1]

It is bulky, but I think that's just how car/van keys are now!

[@adumsey1164]

@@simonbowler1 or put it in MCM’s man-bag 😆

[@marcusmaximus451]

Excellent and interesting vlog Simon , strange question for you in regards to tax, I’m now a sole trader for past 2 years myself and have a transit connect, when I purchase a new one am I able to book the whole price against tax or just a small percentage as I’m completely new to this and my accountant has sent me a gov website of how it works but it’s a bit of a minefield for me many thanks and regards Mark 😀👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@simonbowler1]

Great question. It depends how your accountant does things. He/she should be able to offer the best advice for you and your business and should also, in my opinion, be able to take the complicated info off the gov website and give it back to you in a palatable fashion!

[@marcusmaximus451]

@@simonbowler1 thank you ever so much Simon for your sound advice, I have an accountant as I’m just not confident enough to do my own returns every year and because I want to do everything above board take care and thanks 🙏 again 😃👍

[@waterpowerspaniels]

Had one two weeks I really don’t think it’s a improvement Miss the sunglasses holder above driver door Hate all the warnings bells and chimes had the info screen go off when parked in the sun But my biggest concern is the auto selector on a indicator stalk And yes had problem with handbrake And why couldn’t they have blind spot warning on mirrors ?

[@Mr04051964]

I agree re sunglasses holder. And it says in the brochure that that is included on the limited. Blind spot warning, or BLIS is an optional extra

[@rogerhall1638]

No way is it worth that! I’m sticking with my transporter but trust me it’s even more to replace.

[@denty32]

Paid 52k for my 73 transporter lwb the new transporter engine is a Ford

I’m very wary of the timing belt design mate.?? Not the best idea from Ford unfortunately.!!!

[@robfryer9962]

Up to Barnsley can’t beat a deal from Yorkshire 😂

[@simonbowler1]

Well spotted!

[@keithhooper6123]

£50,000!! Ford really do take the p.Guess trying to make up all the losses from EVs..Recipe for massive business decline.

[@robertferguson4607]

Nice van. Far too expensive. I'd put it around the £30k mark. Last one I bought was £15k all the bells and whistles trafic. 2007

[@sarahann530]

Nearly 20 years out of a Trafic is good going . You must not work it hard .

[@bigdude8470]

Who went in with who to make it , vw or ford , and whose engine does it have ?

[@Mr04051964]

VW with Ford, it has the same eco blue engine as the old model. The auto gearbox is a new 8 speed affair

[@bigdude8470]

@@Mr04051964 so , does the vw have the same engine?

[@Mr04051964]

No only the Ford has the eco blue powertrain

[@bobbymcculloch2451]

And they say there’s no money about ?

[@ninjasixrr]

Never get why there so expensive when most of it is empty box!

[@NMCendurance]

My is been over 6 months and so many problems ford uk dont bother Evan Halshaw dont care.wish you do a post about that. Use for 4 months and will talk then😂😂

[@paulgibson490]

They are putting the prices up of normal cars and vans to offset the money they lose on ev cars and get you used to higher prices of evs.

[@paulfisher7911]

all im seeing is the governments tracking devices and alot of cost . but your video was very informative and well presented .enjoy your new van and i hope you have many trouble free miles

[@waynehardiman5443]

No not worth it at all and had it got front and rear cameras ? And hopefully no issues like the old transit dpf or do you not own them long enough ?

[@simbrk6458]

Had one for 2 weeks and got dpf problems, amongst over problems. My advice is, stick with the older model as these are proper shite

[@davidpopp1963]

Don't tell the police, you are traveling doing 70mph in a 3.2t van on a duel carriage way

[@woodlandtroll4976]

Omg square steering wheel that goes back to the 1970s Austin Allegro😂😂😂 mmmmmm £50,000 it's a box on wheels

[@noelcahill6707]

50k sterling holy crap for the rubbish ford is pushing out id hate to know what there charging here in ireland now

[@SM-eq1vr]

50k r u mad?

[@cupra2Jock.]

Ill stick with my 18plate vivaro...it becomes an auto on the motorway with the cruise control so whose assed😂 ill have the 40k left over to invest lmfao

[@clivelockwood3236]

You've been had lol.

[@triggsymalone9820]

Cloth interior at that price😂😂 Keyless uuummmm the little to rags who steal audi ranges etc, will be looking at this as a easier target now... You never mentioned security

[@tonymoloney3223]

50,000??? 😂😂😂😂

[@simonbowler1]

Tell me about it!

[@raybell7696]

Personally I would have kept the old van because it was still mint and had very low mileage. Yes the timing belt might have been due soon,which is expensive but it's taxable. Is this a wet belt version, I wouldn't touch a Ford Wet Belt

[@richardbrealey989]

The pharse bag of shit springs to mind. I am not looking forward to my next van behonest, for a work vehicle to much tec. the question is what is the life span of modern vehicles.

[@vdub8567]

It's only a shell ,how is it worth 50 k ffs

[@gdr88]

should be £40k

[@simonbowler1]

It was.... without the VAT!

[@craigsg01]

Fifty grand for a van ?! At least inflation is only 3 percent 🤡

[@stevenhunter5799]

On your old van, you grease the door hinges by prying off the rubber tabs and inject grease into the holes. Sorted

[@bettywalker374]

Well worth the money old chap

[@user-vp9fe7zv1b]

no

[@robrd9485]

A Ford with an Auto gearbox. They have never made a decent Auto yet. Keep van 3 years and get rid. Second owner will be shelling out thousands to get fixed.

[@stevendavies8070]

Absolute rubbish ,if it's a wet belt it's living on borrowed time . hopefully it might see 70 k miles .

[@madmountainman5197]

Fifty effin K??? I'm glad I got my late 2018 LWB Vivaro Limited Crew Cab for £21k all in a few years ago. It also has a chain driven cam, so no worries with the hopeless wet belt design that some stupid University educated idiot thought was a good idea. Keep a check on your oil levels and don't expect any customer care from Ford if yours goes pop.

[@darrinmcneill534]

Nope

[@ObligateFailure]

No. Obviously not worth it.

[@driveryte]

It is a work van, you work to buy a van for £50000, something is very wrong with your head

[@simonbowler1]

That’s the kind of money New vans are these days I’m afraid…. Some are even dearer!

[@tommaguire837]

No van is worth 50k well over priced even if you can afford its ridiculous and pushing towards making lease deals then purchase and they Prefer it that way

[@bobcat2378]

Over priced rot box!🤣🤣🤣

[@user-ud9rn7dw6q]

Never touch a ford again ex mechanic speaking hideous to work on when they go wrong just a common rail and water pump 7 hours labour Mk3 transit 1 hour lol

[@johnmetrac2898]

Ford transit what a pile of junk engines are absolutely terrible 😮