2024's most reliable vans revealed

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has climbed to the top of the FN50 reliability index this year, relegating last year’s champion Ford to second place.

In a double victory for VW, the company’s Transporter has also been recognised as the most reliable van.

Craig Cavanagh, national fleet manager for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “We are incredibly proud to once again be named ‘Most Reliable Van Maker’, and to have gained further recognition for our Transporter, Caddy and Crafter vans.

“These awards are a testament to our commitment to supporting fleet customers with the reliability they depend on to keep their businesses moving.”

The annual FN50 survey is the largest of its kind and this reliability ranking is based on data from a collective fleet of more than 460,000 commercial vehicles.

You can read the full reliability analysis in the 2024 FN50 report.

2024's most reliable van model:

1 - VW Transporter

2 - Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

3 - VW Caddy

4 - Ford Transit Connect

5 - Ford Transit Custom

6 - Vauxhall Vivaro

7 - Ford Transit

8 - VW Crafter

9 - Toyota Proace

10 - Renault Trafic

2024's most reliable van brand:

1. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
2. Ford Pro
3. Mercedes-Benz Vans
4. Vauxhall 
5. Peugeot
6. Renault
7. Toyota
8. Citroen
9. Nissan
10. Maxus

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles lead the reliability index this year with the Transporter, which sat in second place last year, overtaking the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and ending its nine-year stronghold at the top of the reliability ranking.

The next generation Transporter is due to launch in 2025 and has been co-developed with Ford, alongside the new Transit Custom, as part of a collaboration agreement between the two giants. 

Ford’s reliability ranking took a hit this year - bumping it into second place - after it emerged that some of its older diesel engines were suffering with premature timing belt failure. The issue prompted Ford to revise the service schedule for affected models.

Mercedes-Benz becomes the third most reliable van maker, having topped the table in 2022. Its ageing Vito model drops out of the top 10 model list, while the Citan – introduced two years ago – is also absent from the ranking.

Stellantis brands Vauxhall and Peugeot hold the fourth and fifth positions, while Citroen climbs one place to sit as the eighth most reliable brand. The entire Stellantis model range was updated this year, bringing enhanced technology, new styling and a full range of electric powertrains. The Vauxhall Vivaro was recognised as the most reliable Stellantis model, this year.

Toyota moves to seventh. While its vans are based on existing Stellantis models, the brand provides a stronger aftersales proposition with dedicated LCV dealers and a 10-year warranty offer.

Renault, meanwhile, moves up the reliability table securing sixth place and leapfrogging Alliance partner Nissan, which falls to ninth.

Renault was one of the fastest growing van brands in 2023, following the introduction of the all-new Kangoo. This year it introduced a new Master as part of an evolving line-up. The older Trafic was Renault’s best performing van in this year’s reliability survey.

Maxus enters the top 10 most reliable brands list for the first time, displacing Fiat. The Chinese brand, which replaced LDV in 2020, has been growing its model line-up considerably. While sales volumes remain low, Maxus has models in the three core size categories and offers multiple electric options.