Top 5 WORST 'Van Life' Vans under $20,000 | ReDriven

[@XLTripleTriple]

Your channel deserves substantially more recognition

[@ReDriven]

Thank you so much. - AK

[@demogaming8895]

My guy just eliminated pretty much every euro van, and I don't blame him, as a European I can safely say that these things are horrible, except for the VW Transporter with the 5 cylinder TDI, which is known to be very reliable. The only problem is that we are stuck with these vans and with the Hiace discontinued years ago we don't get any reliable Japanese alternatives

[@DiscoFang]

There are a few car dealers here in NZ that are dedicating themselves to importing the "discontinued" Hiace from Japan where they are still in production. The are bringing in ones with just delivery kms as well as ones with under 50,000kms and selling like hot cakes. Toyota NZ themselves seem to be taking notice and I'm told have started doing the same. The lack of new ones for the last 4/5 years has driven used prices sky high. Almost no-one wants the new shape Hiace by choice.

[@lachlancook6718]

The big benefits of the ex ambulance choice is that it will have the better performing turbo diesel v6 which do get up and go when you drop the hammer. And more importantly they’ll already be fitted out with cabinets, curtains, electric hook up, idle hold, work lights, safety steps, cameras etc. And of course space for a bed. So what you’d perhaps spend in repairs, you’d ultimately save money by it being basically ready to go as it is.

[@olivercullen1737]

Mercedes sprinters with the 642 v6 turbo and Vito/viano/velente aren’t that bad. The engines are tough and reliable

[@markpestell1413]

hey i have a 3.0 L turbo, ducato camper, manual 6 speed gear box, 180,000 km and it is a 4 ton wonderful van which goes like a rocket, it is very reliable, and over the last 5 years of getting around and camping twice a year long distance , has been a real beauty, a great buy. never an issue

[@cthorno2991]

Ducatos?? All I see getting around in TAS and FNQ are those things... I reckon FIAT sell more of them than 500s.

[@zedlicious]

Have a sprinter ex Ambo fat truck p FYI. Stripped it bare, so no blood, no ghosts and had it for 3 years now, and it’s been a reliable

[@ReDriven]

Zed are you sure it's not haunted? Like, absolutely 100% sure? Just kidding mate! A good friend of mine has one too and swears by it. He's just sick of the semi transparent formally living flat mates he has to contend with most nights.

[@angrysocialjusticewarrior]

Did you perform a a ritual to ensure there are no ghosts?

[@alexzjohns]

Love it! Very informative, also had a laugh 👌🏼 Good stuff man!

[@ReDriven]

Cheers mate, thanks so much for watching and commenting.

[@BenjiSalad]

So that leaves the Renault master and Iveco Daily for big vans? Sprinters really are the best choice here. As you said they're used as ambulances and passed on after 350k mark which is still very young for a diesel. More around than any other in its category. It's safer. Easy to service yourself. The thing just needs a catch can and you're done. Which is a good idea in any diesel engine anyway.

[@ReDriven]

Yeah there's not a load of options when it comes to big vans and the vast majority are from Euro manufacturers so there is always that concern with quality. But, your comments are spot on Ben. Also, thanks so much for watching and commenting mate, appreciate it.

[@totorishop]

Yep had a 2016 transit. 25K repairs including engine replacement. 130k mileage. Was well maintained .

[@marijanmahne]

Hi, was it an 2.0 or 2.2 diesel engine?

[@adrianhayton9883]

Best van I had was a Toyota Hiace, but they are aging now and it’s difficult to find a decent one. I’ve got a 13 plate swb transit and it’s a bad van.. my 10 plate is great xx thanks for the advice and video 🌟💪 north west England.

[@troydowler3581]

Yesterday I test drove a used 2019 Transit Custom VO LWB and loved it, still has factory warranty but now I'm not so sure.

[@lundsweden]

Before I even watch this list, I know VW will make it in the top 5!

[@PeterJUren]

Really scary! Most of these vans are used as Mobile Homes. I can just see a couple of Grey Nomads stranded by the side of the road at the back 'o Bourke.

[@andreasgernandt2946]

I had my multivan V5 for many years and absolutely loved it…..now I have a Crafter

[@Vinnitintin249]

My family had the people mover version of the transport, the Caravelle. Circa 2002. Was supposed to tow boats, and had room for a wheel chair lift. Just after warranty expired the first gearbox went. Because of the lack of vans fitting the wheel chair lift, my parents opted for replacing the gearbox. $12,000. At least at this point it was still driveable when it was replaced. 2 years later it went again, same price but new installer. Not within a day, the 2nd gearbox seized up out on the road outside our house. Apparently the mechanic forgot some sort of lubricant. 3rd gearbox was free but at this point my parents wanted out. Got a Toyota HiAce converted to a people mover. Caravelle worth 4 grand trade in after being bought for Nearly 60k.

[@ReDriven]

Mate that's horrible to hear. It's a story we've heard countless times too. But, well done on the Hiace, hope it keeps going faultlessly for you guys. Thanks for watching and commenting too.

[@MataH1]

Thanks you just answered quite a few of my questions! Was considering a Vitto, not anymore!! You don't mention the Renault anywhere, what do you think of it? Same as Peugeot?

[@MataH1]

Just found your answer to Zac, so Renault is n°6. Ok!

[@ReDriven]

Unfortunately we wouldn't recommend the Renault (or really anything European) either. The drama is is that taxation laws and credits in Europe generally encourage businesses to replace their work vehicles every 3 years, so manufacturers don't really have any interest in building their vans to last any longer than that. Plus, they engineer them to be cost prohibitive to repair and then add on top that they are designed for European conditions, not the horrific roads and extreme weather Australia is susceptible to. Stick with Japanese or South Korean brands is our big tip.

[@DiscoFang]

@@ReDriven That tax thing is a great point. You can make a similar argument for any Euro car like BMW - not tax but the whole environment of ownership. They expect the cars to be replaced and recycled at 10 years. That's the expected lifecycle.

[@terrificspokesman7416]

The Expert is also crap in the UK with terrible French quality. The only thing that is decent is the engines. Peugeot makes decent diesel engines but the rest of the van is not that good.

[@zacmclindon1633]

What about the renault master?

[@ReDriven]

It was number 6! It was a tough call to leave it out to be honest Zac.

[@KazuyaYuza]

The T4 transporter is undesructible. The ones after that are indeed shite.

[@blackstonegallery3234]

Shame to see the Transit not stacking up these days. I’ve owned a couple of late 90s VG Transits and they were amazing.

[@ReDriven]

It is such a shame mate. They're an awesome looking thing and under the new car warranty, can be fantastic but we have heard some true horror stories.

[@adampastega2540]

regular service for 2013 vito merc still great at 360000kms. ok so no air con and a rear door locking problem.

[@KazeHorse]

Truth be told if I was Australian I would be looking for a t1n sprinter - but I agree the newer ones aren’t worth the hassle. We have one in the U.K. and the biggest issue with it is rust. In a warmer climate it may well be the best vehicle I have ever owned.

[@DiscoFang]

The truth from an Australian perspective was already told. Parts are a nightmare. Throw that on top of buying an OLDer vehicle and it's not smart buying - for an Australian.

[@jeremybean-hodges6397]

Haha, my Mum's partner bought an ex-Ambo Sprinter. Spent half the time off the road... and not in a 4x4 way.

[@angrysocialjusticewarrior]

Getting rid of that unreliable diesel and swapping in a Lexus v8 is the way to go.

[@jeremybean-hodges6397]

@@angrysocialjusticewarrior getting rid of the unreliable Mercedes and swapping it for an iLoad would have been even better ;)

[@jamesmills6766]

Great video!

[@annonymous498]

Review of the caddy next ?

[@terrificspokesman7416]

The Mercades Vito and Sprinter also have huge rust issues especially in the UK.

[@S14AA]

Think that's pre 2005

[@terrificspokesman7416]

@@S14AA No. Pre 2009 especially. Even newer Sprinters rust like 2015 models sometimes

[@martineransom6019]

Dont get a vw transporter worst vehicle ive ever owned never again

[@kilogolfbravo9567]

I have a t5 1.9 it’s been solid while all my others cars constantly shit themselves.

[@quadrifern]

which generation did you own? what do you mean by worst vehicle?

[@kilogolfbravo9567]

@@quadrifernnot me I love my transporter and now I’ve a crafter and it’s even better.

[@quadrifern]

@@kilogolfbravo9567 apologies, i posed to question to the bloke making the original comment. i've got a 22 year old t4 2.5tdi myself and it's been flawless for the last 450,000km. legendarily long lived vans. the T5 is rated poorly for reliability but the manual 1.9tdi is the diamond in the rough for that gen. i will say the newer transporters deserve their reputation though. the older ones are just better, same goes for most vans and cars i guess

[@joeezra5460]

I’ve done 650,000 combined in my t5/t6….the t5 I spent about 5k on towards the end and the t6 only one alternator. My hiace’s 97/02/06 you had to reduce speed to 90 on windy days because the blew all over the place and by the time you arrived your ear drums were blown out.

[@B33ond]

Renault trafic 2018 any good ? 1.6td Manual

[@PhillipSmithstargazer]

I brought a 2005 transet, two months later the fuel pump shit itself, $6000 to fix

[@budget.diyguy.australia]

Im a courier driver Here in Australia, I have worked for many transport companies, I have been stuck on the side of the road and hwy's in : Iveco 2017 5 tonne van, Fiat Ducato 2016 and Renault Master 2010. Between the 3 of them, I had constant door handles snapping off, rubber seals shrinking around the doors, the oil filter would constantly become loose on the Iveco, so the oil would leak under the body of the van and spray up the back doors while driving on the hwy, the mechanic said it is a ' Common fault '. The Fiat went through 3 clutche's in its first year plus of course, random disco lights across the dash. It's a toss up between the three.. The list goes on and on, but I'm sick of holding my phone. Stick with TOYOTA PEOPLE.

[@angeladawn805]

The Fiat form the base of many Tourist Van Hire fleets, here in NZ - to buy one, you're looking at 157-200k. I'm sure they'd be great new.... But a liability

[@Basman59]

FIAT - Fix It All the Time! Surprised by the Ford.

[@strider7236]

What about the ldv deliver 9?

[@lifeofdang92]

can you talk about the Subaru Levorg 2017?

[@henrycro8970]

So what van is working?

[@oohlongjonson]

LOL this "review" must be sponsored by LDV 🤣

[@ReDriven]

Oh god we wish! We'd love any sponsorship! - AK

[@ReDriven]

@vulvacioustottie If making a living from working beyond full time hours after taking huge financial risks and investing huge capital into ReDriven equates to selling out, sure. To be clear, no LDV is not a sponsor and has never been in touch but let me ask you this. Do you work for free? Do others accuse you of selling out when you get paid each week? We have worked huge hours on ReDriven for over 2 years, without making a cent, all the time providing free content to you, are we not entitled to have some sort of financial reimbursement? - AK

[@marijanmahne]

That is all ok what you are saying. But for the video really it seems a little to biased or in some ways to "pre-judicted"..., and I am +/- generally agreeing with your list, but what would several statistics show will probably be somehow a different picture.

[@franknardone3186]

Very informative, thank you. What large vans do you recommend, which are the BEST large vans that are reliable for Australian conditions to convert?

[@ReDriven]

Great request Frank. We'll start researching this list for you and hopefully have it up in the next few weeks. - AK

[@stavrolindos3852]

​@ReDriven any videos on Vans for under 20k?

[@angusnz7910]

Normally have a chuckle and agree with your love hate videos…but unsure on the ducato in this one. Yup the jerkomatic has to be avoided…there is a place in hell reserved for the person who designed the selector box then decided literally brake fluid was a lubricant enough to keep it alive. Change this fluid every 5000km and no trouble, ignore that and all bets are off. Owned a secondhand motorhome one from 80,000km and by 120,000, and several break downs later i learned the cause. Sold it at 250,000 with no further issues at all bar break pads and consumables. 2019 brought a new ducato motorhome and this time went manual, and hand on heart 100% reliable, while transit mates have continuous turbo and injector issues. Yes my one dosent live in cities, motorhomes tend to live on the open road, it’s a 180hp chipped (supposedly 210hp) and it gets the wheels driven off it every second weekends. Always been a car person and will probably die behind the wheel of one, but my 3.6 tonne house on wheels has no issue with speed limits, passes cars when I need to, climbs decent…in fact drives so well that it infuriates me to come across ones with a 2km backlog of traffic behind them and refusing to pull over. I’ve owned shitloads of cars over time (currently have 9 registered, I have issues), and several have been fists and Alfa so I know Italian history, but the Ducato I would say is one they got right…or I’ve been lucky

[@marijanmahne]

Is yours an 3.0 hdi?

[@rmsalkin]

Ducato and fiat diesels are best on market . In Europe they run 600k miles with ease

[@troubledtinkerer]

Mate you're normally spot on, but this time just way off the mark on the Ducato.

[@Ondraythe1]

Depends which one you have? The older Iveco motor 3.0 with the manual are reliable

[@redemption1991]

Hard to pay attention with that escort shell in the background haha

[@ReDriven]

That Escort may or may not have a Focus RS engine bolted in the front of it. - AK

[@WhiteWolf-bj7nq]

2021 Renault Master - Complete shit box @ 58000Km Windscreen rubbers falling away Door seals deteriorating DPF failure Brake calliper seized Brake sensor failed Burns rediculous amounts of oil

[@adamfreeman7052]

Where’s that saucy mechanic?

[@ReDriven]

Only on reviews and some upcoming special projects mate. But, isn't he the so super saucy!

[@thatfordescortguy]

Stop it!

[@AshHalls]

What is the best medium van in Australia for around $20,000 ? Apart from Toyota hiace because I don’t like the idea of sitting above the engine.

[@Bubbleskittymaster]

the transits we get in America i am not joking start at 54k

[@chemy-shop2976]

In Yor opinion you don't have to buy anything 😂

[@henrycro8970]

I have expert and its great.

[@jonnybond2616]

U just named every van on the road in the UK hahahaha

[@F.D.Matrix]

Ford Transit? really? uhmmmm I am about to purchase one soon hahaha

[@roberthunter6927]

How the mighty VW ["V-dub"] has fallen! The old air-cooled 'flat-four" in the VW beetle, or the old VW combis were THE choice for students/surfies/packpackers/vanlifers. With honorable mentions to old Holden and Ford panel-vans. The "new" VW's? Expensive gadgety and unreliable. Spare parts and servicing are expensive. For a supposedly "upmarket" product, they are amazingly bad value for money.

[@lp8380]

Please don't use the cheesy prono transition that blows out my eardrums.... awesome video otherwise.. liked and subscribed

[@ReDriven]

Cheers mate!

[@levro7367]

Best cheap work vans ?

[@theegresko]

I didn't know ford is European

[@GlenB1963]

I owned a 20212 ford transit 2.2 tdi. The heat exchanger split and poured coolant directly into the cylinder head. It detonated under 100000km. Don’t buy a ford. Any new ford. They’re all shit now. A far cry from my old wy 6.

[@bobceffo]

I can confirm about the vito: the fall apart right from the factory

[@lesklower7281]

European vans are also crap

[@evmikewilliams9021]

I'm surprised Renault master and trafic didn't get a mention. They too are plagued with the same euro van problems....horrid things

[@Ondraythe1]

Company I worked for loved them and they are always fully loaded to max

[@andrzejz3776]

Sorry, you have no idea about vans, I used company Ford Transit- 650 k and still going strong, now I have third Mercedes Vito: first- 600k, second 780k, third now 220 and only one switch I have to replace wich cost me 8€. All Vito 2,2 cdi with auto gearbox. Service every 10k. Only waste my time to watch this shit…

[@marijanmahne]

Transit of wich year & engine?

[@andrzejz3776]

@@marijanmahne 2008 with 2,4 TD

[@marijanmahne]

@@andrzejz3776 I need another van, to fit aditional 2-3 people with me. I am reasoning second hands from vitos, transit customs, t5s, even 2wd/4wd doubble-cab pickups...

[@DiscoFang]

So you have experience of 4 vans and you think that beats all the experience of the mechanic, reports, research, feedback and experiences of others? Therefore they're all full of shit? Go you.

[@andrzejz3776]

@@DiscoFang I used to work for company where are around 120 vans. VW Transporter, MB Sprinter, MB Vito, Toyota Hiace, Ford Transit and Opel, Renault Trafic, Master… this is my experience. What is yours???

[@jakeclinton5837]

Say Ford Bullshit.

[@mickeyflynn5427]

Fiat Ducato/ RAM ProMaster

[@joeezra5460]

THIS MAN IS A MORON. I’m on my 2nd transporter the first one (2010 dsg) ran to 300,000 only problem was a alternator 1 battery and flywheel which was the same cost as doing a clutch in a manual. The 2nd a t6 340 manual has run to 350,000 the problems one battery and an alternator just months ago! Transporters loaded consume 35% less fuel than a diesel hiace so with both vans I saved nearly $50,000 in fuel so I basically got one van for free not to mention…on wet windy days the Volkswagen holds the road unlike I hiace which blows all over the place. And have never changed one suspension component/bushing on a volks unlike a Toyota which is rattling once the hit 150.

[@ReDriven]

👍

[@gort3969]

I can confirm used ambulances are haunted🔪🩸👌 ps in not sure where this information comes from but i have a feeling its just from facebook groups which aren't a reliable source of anythithing. The fiat scudo or peugeot expert are good vans with some electronic issues. I've seen fleets of them in the pilbara which is landcruiser country and nobody complains about them