I think what this thread proves is that finding a reliable van is purely down to some degree of good luck. All makes and models have problems. Some of our most unreliable vans have been new lease vans and in contrast some of our older vans run with no trouble at all.
I agree.
What I also believe is that can also be owner related. This might be a strange thing to say but when I was in the trade we had a fellow buy a brand new C5 Citroen. It seemed to spend a lot of its time in the workshop having warranty repairs done. When it was a couple of years old he traded it in for a brand new C5. Huh?
Vardy's put that C5 up on the lot and it sold shortly afterward. A few years later that new owner told us it was the best car he had ever had with absolutely no issues.
Please can someone explain that.
My second car was a Volvo 122 Amazon. When I bought it it needed a bit of work. In the end that car cost me a fortune. My then girl friend's father called it my Involver.
The last straw was when it threw a ring. I stripped the engine down and completely overhauled it; rebore, crankshaft regrind and new bearings, cylinder head skimmed and valve seats and valves reground.
I resolved to sell it once the engine had bed in which I did. A local car sales yard offered to sell it for me which they did. It ended up that the dealer went bang and I came very close to loosing the lot. Thankfully that dealer had just had a cash sale and paid me out of that.
A few years later I saw it parked in the street in Bulawayo and a chap was getting into it. I asked him how he found the car. He also told me that the previous owner must have really looked after this car as it ran perfectly and had never missed a beat since he purchased it from that garage that stopped trading.
I was gutted because I loved that car. I still ask myself if I sold it too quickly.