Used campervan and motorhome buying guides
Every base vehicle has its own weak spots. These guides cover the problems owners report most often on the vans most used for UK campervans and motorhomes, what each one looks like on a viewing and what to ask the seller.
Pick the model you’re looking at. If you can’t get to the van yourself, we can view it for you and check the seller, the paperwork and the living area before you pay.
Small vans and micro campers
Ford Transit Connect common problems
2002 to today (three generations). Turbo failure on 1.6 TDCi engines, injector problems on 1.8 TDCi vans and more.
VW Caddy common problems
2004 to today (three generations). DSG gearbox judder, EGR cooler and DPF on 1.6 and 2.0 TDI and more.
Nissan NV200 common problems
2009 to today. Engine bearing wear on the 1.5 dCi, underbody corrosion and more.
Mazda Bongo common problems
1995 to 2005 (Japanese imports). Rust underneath, overheating and head gaskets and more.
Mid-size vans and campervans
Vauxhall Vivaro common problems
2001 to today (three generations). Gearbox bearing wear on 1.9 diesels, water getting in around the windscreen and more.
Renault Trafic common problems
2001 to today (three generations). Gearbox bearing failure on 1.9 dCi vans, turbo and EGR faults on 2.0 dCi engines and more.
Mercedes Vito common problems
2003 to today. Rust on 2003-2014 vans, injector seals leaking and more.
Ford Transit Custom common problems
2012 to today. Timing belt in oil on 2.0 EcoBlue engines, DPF and EGR problems and more.
Peugeot Expert common problems
2007 to today (two generations). AdBlue system failures, turbo failure on the 1.6 HDi and more.
Toyota Proace common problems
2013 to today. AdBlue system faults, turbo problems on early 1.6 diesels and more.
Citroen Dispatch common problems
1995 to today. AdBlue system failures, turbo failure on the 1.6 HDi and more.
VW Transporter common problems
1990 to today (T4, T5, T6, T6.1, T7). Rust on T4 and T5 vans, EGR cooler and DPF on 2.0 TDI and more.
VW T5 common problems
2003 to 2015 (T5 and T5.1). Rust around the sliding door and rear arches, EGR cooler and DPF on the 2.0 TDI and more.
VW T6 common problems
2015 to 2024 (T6 and T6.1). AdBlue faults, DSG gearbox faults and more.
VW T4 common problems
1990 to 2003. Rust everywhere, timing belt history and more.
Toyota Hiace common problems
1967 to today (most UK campers 1995-2012). Injector and injector seal problems on the 2.5 D-4D, rust on older vans and more.
Large vans and motorhome bases
VW Crafter common problems
2006 to today (two generations). Body rust on 2006-2016 vans, EGR cooler and DPF issues and more.
Mercedes Sprinter common problems
1995 to today. Rust on 2006-2018 vans, leaking injector seals and more.
Fiat Ducato common problems
1981 to today (current shape from 2006). Gearbox bearing failure on the six-speed box, Comfort-Matic automatic gearbox faults and more.
Peugeot Boxer common problems
1994 to today (current shape from 2006). AdBlue system faults on 2016-on vans, injector problems on the 2.2 HDi and more.
Citroen Relay common problems
1994 to today (current shape from 2006). AdBlue system faults on 2016-on vans, injector issues on the 2.2 HDi and more.
Ford Transit common problems
1965 to today (most conversions 2000 on). Timing belt in oil on 2.0 EcoBlue engines, rust on 2000-2014 vans and more.
Iveco Daily common problems
1978 to today. Clutch and flywheel cost, Hi-Matic automatic gearbox and more.
These guides list problems commonly reported by owners, garages and the motoring press. They are not a diagnosis of any particular van.
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