Ford Transit (00-06) - Review

There seems to be a Transit derivative to suit any job. Customers can choose between a range of roof heights and wheelbases for the panel van versions, while there are also chassis cabs, box vans, dropsides and tippers. Vans are available in front-wheel drive up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW), and in rear-wheel drive from 3.3 tonnes upwards. The front-wheel drive versions offer a lower load sill at the rear, while rear-wheel drive versions can provide better traction if carrying particularly heavy loads. By the time the majority of the range was launched in mid-2001 the Transit could boast a larger choice of roof heights, body lengths, weights and transmissions than any other panel van. Load volume ranges from 6.6 cubic metres on short-wheelbase low-roof models to 11.3 cubic metres on a long-wheelbase high-roof model. The Jumbo long-wheelbase model has a load voume of 14.3 cubic metres.

Ford was a very early adopter of certain safety features fitted as standard with the Transit. At one time the Transit was the only van in its class to offer a driver's airbag as standard across the range - important safety features when you consider how many Transits are in use pounding our motorways. A passenger airbag and ABS were options so check if these are fitted when buying used.

The Transit is a little costlier to buy than rival vans from Vauxhall, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat, largely because of the sheer numbers around. The diesels are cheap to run, and servicing is every 15,000 miles. Insurance groups range from 10 to 13.

The Transit is a generally reliable van. Most faults that may be reported are generally minor ones, and Ford's commercial vehicle network has excellent national coverage and can often turn vehicles round overnight to ensure downtime is kept to a minimum.