New research into van repair costs has revealed which models are the most – and least – expensive to keep on the road, with smaller vans topping the charts for affordability and reliability.
The new Van Repair Index, compiled by temporary van insurance provider Tempcover
, analysed 20 popular UK models. The study combined average repair bills with independent reliability scores across key components such as engines, gearboxes and brakes.
Compact vans come out on top
At the top of the table sits the Nissan NV200, which earned the highest overall index score of 89.9 thanks to its strong reliability (9.1/10) and an average repair bill of just £303.94. The diesel-powered NV200 was dropped in 2020, two years ahead of the electric e-NV200, with both being replaced by the Nissan Townstar in 2022. Close behind is the Fiat Doblo Cargo, scoring 89.2 and boasting the lowest average repair costs of the group at £282.78.
The Peugeot Partner, Mercedes-Benz Vito, and Citroen Dispatch complete the top five, showing that smaller vans tend to be cheaper to keep on the road.
| Rank | Van | Avg Repair Cost | Reliability Score | Overall Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan NV200 | £303.94 | 9.1 | 89.9 |
| 2 | Fiat Doblo | £282.78 | 8.9 | 89.2 |
| 3 | Peugeot Partner | £490.08 | 7.8 | 63.7 |
| 4 | Mercedes Vito | £436.78 | 7.1 | 61.8 |
| 5 | Citroen Dispatch | £576.14 | 8.0 | 60.5 |
Bigger vans carry bigger bills
At the other end of the table, large vans like the Volkswagen Crafter and Ford Transit were found to have the highest average repair costs, often exceeding £1,000 per job.
The Citroen Relay topped the list of costly commercial models with an average bill of £1,262.08. The Volkswagen Crafter and Ford Transit Custom weren’t far behind, at £1,133.43 and £1,361.88, respectively.
| Rank | Van | Avg Repair Cost | Reliability Score | Overall Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Citroen Relay | £1,262.08 | 1.0 | 3.4 |
| 19 | Volkswagen Crafter | £1,133.43 | 1.4 | 7.4 |
| 18 | Ford Transit Custom | £1,361.88 | 2.7 | 10.7 |
| 17 | Peugeot Partner | £1,092.82 | 2.1 | 10.9 |
| 16 | Ford Transit | £1,069.87 | 3.6 | 16.2 |
Smaller vans lead on reliability and cost
The report highlights a clear trend: compact vans are generally cheaper to maintain and more reliable than their larger counterparts. With smaller engines, lighter loads and lower labour times, running costs tend to stay modest compared with full-size panel vans.
Engine and gearbox repairs remain the most expensive individual jobs across all sizes, with some models averaging more than £3,000 for engine work alone.
While repair bills are just one part of a van’s total cost of ownership, the data reinforces how choosing the right model can make a noticeable difference to long-term running costs.
