North Shields-based DTF Couriers has added seven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans to its fleet under a partnership between Mercedes-Benz vans UK and Checkatrade.com.

DTF Couriers proprietor Danny Fenwick has received several enquiries and won new business since joining the online directory of recommended tradespeople less than a year ago.

His company runs 24 vans. The majority of these are Sprinters, as well as two mid-sized Vito vans and a couple of Citans, as well as four trucks.

The new Sprinters were supplied by north-east dealer Bell Truck and Van and replace two-year-old Sprinters, each of which had travelled more than 150,000 miles.

All are 3.5-tonne 314 CDIs with 143PS common-rail turbodiesel engines which drive the rear wheels.

Six are L3 H2 panel vans with long bodies and high roofs; the seventh is an L3 chassis cab to which Tyneside Coachworks, of Gateshead, has fitted a platform body.

DTF Couriers acquired its first Mercedes-Benz in 2004. Fenwick said “We work our vans hard. They go all over the country and typically cover up to 90,000 miles a year, so reliability is essential.”

Mercedes-Benz's partnership with Checkatrade.com sees members able to secure manufacturer support worth £6,800 on selected new Sprinter panel vans and chassis cabs, while savings are also available on Citan, Vito and certain X-Class pick-up models.

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