Economical vans (MPG)?

Jack2007

HI,

I need to purchase a medium sized van for my businesss start-up. It needs to have 3 seats and around a Transit sized vehicle.

As a I do around 20k a year of which about 14k is motorway driving I am looking for a van with good mpg. The motorway driving will be unladen.
Its really hard to find specs online.

Anyone have any advice on a suitable type of van? Also will it help that I can claim diesel as exenditures at thge end of the year?

Thanks
Jack

Hammyman

Any Ford with the TDCi engine.

Regardling claiming, you need to do a full set of calculations taking into account all running costs for the projected mileage and capital allowances etc and then compare it to what the HMRC mileage rates would be - £6500 for 20k. If the HMRC mileage rates work out more than the other, claim them instead of running costs.

zuggy

Hi,
I was looking at used vans while back but I am no expert, but no one has yet replied.
I think all 3.5ton diesels do about 30-35mpg with 2.5-3l cc.
Try specific model forums.
LDV are popular & reliable.
Trannys seem popular but susceptible to rust prone rears.
VW good.
Merc Sprinters drive nicely & reliable.
Apparantly Fiats etc can be iffy.
If you are buying used, check the LEZ compliance changes for city use and expect a drastic price crash on pre 2004 models as the 2012 deadline approaches.

Hammyman

zuggy wrote: »

LDV are popular & reliable.

LDV are a stinking pile of poo with gutless engines and poor fuel economy which is why LDV went bust.

Trannys seem liked but rust prone rears.

Older ones yes but the 2004 onwards seem to be faring better.

Merc Sprinters drive nicely & reliable.

And they do high mileage well and are popular with parcel companies for a reason.

andy8442

Driven sensibly, the Vito or T5 will easy get high 30's mpg and more. The thing is both are such good motorway cruisers it's easy to creep over 70mph and thats when the problems start.

Vito 111cdi and T5 104bhp models are the best, but the slightly more powerful versions are a tad more relaxed on the motorway for not much difference in mpg.

zuggy

Hi,
Well, it only needed a prod to get it going.
SORRY!..I edited the Tranny to 'popular' and accidentally edited the LDV too......doh.
They are competitively priced and reliable but unfavoured as a comparitively unpleasant drive.
Forget the 400s, the Convoys used the Tranny engine-but as a proposed business I am assuming that you will be considering much later vehicles.
Ivecos are another make to consider.

Bigger engines are more cost effective and unstressed for motorway cruising whilst lower ccs are more economical around town.

Payloads are similar but some cargo floors lower and wheel arch intrusion varies.
Do you need ply lined?
Hitops allow standing in the cargo area but reduce mpg.


Excuse me, but whilst I am here, How do I locate my posts in the forums???
I have searched and 'searched' without success.