IVECO Daily (93-06) - Review

The Daily has almost vertical sides (the angle at which a van's sides narrow at the top is called the 'tumblehome' by the way) so it makes the most of the available space and load volumes vary from seven cubic metres to 17 cubic metres depending on the model chosen. Payloads very from 1,075kg to 3,860kg and of course models over 3.5-tonnes gross vehicle weight will require a tachograph. As in the front, everything looks chunky and solid, including the rear doors. The rear bumper also incorporates a handy step which will help climbing aboard when loading up.

The safety rating of the Daily depends very much on what paid-for extras were specified at the time of purchase, as driver’s airbags and ABS brakes were all on the options list. Vans coming off a fleet and offered for sale are unlikely to contain either. However, an engine immobiliser is standard and the rear doors of the Daily look strong and formidable against attacks from thieves.

The Daily is by no means a cheap van to buy, but then again it always offered a great deal more metal than the likes of the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Dailys were offered with a three year/100,000 mile warranty and later engines (post 2005) are reckoned to be 10% cheaper to run than their old counterparts. With the new 3.0-litre unit, timing chains only need to be replaced at 225,000 miles, and oil changes are due at 25,000 miles against 18,000 miles for the 2.8-litre engine.

Look on the motorways of Britain and you'll see Dailys of all ages thundering up and down them, speaking volumes about this van’s longevity. In the event of a breakdown, too, Iveco has an enviable record for getting drivers back on the roads. A phone number gets you through to Iveco's centre in Turin and a very nice operator (who incidentally speaks perfect English) will get a mechanic along PDQ with a van load of spares.