Do you have a commercial vehicle problem? Honest John Vans has the answers you need.
Q: What’s the best extended cab pick-up truck with an auto gearbox?
I would like to buy a pick-up truck with an extended cab (not a full crew cab), that has an automatic gearbox and as many creature comforts as possible, but they don’t seem to exist in the UK. Am I wrong?
A: Single and extended cab pick-ups are not sold in high numbers in this country, as most builders prefer the practicality and comfort of the double cab design. Ford offers the Ranger with an extended cab, but it is in a basic spec with a manual gearbox only.
Q: What’s the most reliable pick-up truck in the UK?
I need your advice on the most reliable pick-up truck. What model would you recommend?
A: The Toyota Hilux is the best for reliability in my opinion. Toyota always performs strongly in the annual Honest John Satisfaction Index. Feedback from owners also tends to be extremely positive.
Q: How many miles will I get out of a Volkswagen T5 Transporter?
Is 134,000 miles classed as high for a 2007 Volkswagen Transporter? What mileage could I expect from this 2.0 TDI engine?
A: Fairly typical for a van of this age. There is no reason why it can’t go on for many more years, but it’ll boil down to the condition of the vehicle and its history. If the van is for sale, the seller should have a folder full of receipts and paperwork for previous repairs and servicing. As a minimum, I’d expect a service every 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first).
Q: Is there a minimum MoT requirement for brake discs?
Can you tell me if there is a brake disc requirement for the MoT on the Vauxhall Vivaro van?
A: Yes, the van will fail the MoT if the brake lining or pad is worn down to the wear indicator or below 1.5mm.
Q: My van’s doors don’t shut independently, is this an MoT failure?
Would it be an MoT failure if the underlying rear door on my van doesn’t latch properly? The overlying rear door latches and locks perfectly (so all secure when driving). I can’t see why it should be a problem to become unsafe. Will it pass the MoT?
A: I suspect this will be an MoT failure. The MoT rules instruct the tester to fail the vehicle if the door will not open using the relevant control or close properly. The van will also fail if a door hinge, catch or pillar is excessively deteriorated or insecure.
Do you have a van question that you can’t find the answer to? Are you struggling to choose a van or pick-up for your professional needs? Email pb@hamerville.co.uk with your question and Honest John Vans will provide you with the answer.
Honest John Vans is the website that champions fairness for van owners by publishing expert, unbiased information to help builders make informed choices about their vehicles. For more van buying advice, visit: www.honestjohn.co.uk/vans
