Top 5 WORST 'Van Life' Vans under $20,000 | ReDriven

The chances of overseas travel are practically zero at the moment, so many are turning to the good ol' fashioned road trip to scratch the itch to get away.

There's no doubting the van is the best tool for the job, but before you go splashing your cash on a new (used) van to join the #vanlife, check out our Top 5 WORST vans under $20,000.

#vans
#travel
#vanlife

Additional videos and images are used for illustrative purposes, under the provision of 'Fair Use'.

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At ReDriven, we’ll be taking you through the pros and cons of a huge range of used cars to see how well they’re going now that they’re a few years old, have thousands of kilometres on the clock, and are coming toward the end of their warranty, or maybe don’t have one at all.

Plus, thanks to our resident mechanic, Jim, you’ll find out what commonly goes wrong with them and what might need to be fixed.

Most importantly, we want to make ReDriven a voice for the most in-the-know used car experts there are...you guys.. See, you’re the ones that actually buy, live with, love and sometimes unfortunately hate the cars we’ll be reviewing.

So we want to hear your thoughts. Hit us up in the comments, or on Instagram and Facebook.

We’d love nothing more than for you to give us as much feedback as possible, so we can make this channel the best it can be.

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[XLTripleTriple]

Your channel deserves substantially more recognition

[andreasgernandt]

I had my multivan V5 for many years and absolutely loved it…..now I have a Crafter

[lachlancook]

The big benefits of the ex ambulance choice is that it will have the better performing turbo diesel v6 which do get up and go when you drop the hammer. And more importantly they’ll already be fitted out with cabinets, curtains, electric hook up, idle hold, work lights, safety steps, cameras etc. And of course space for a bed. So what you’d perhaps spend in repairs, you’d ultimately save money by it being basically ready to go as it is.

[demogaming]

My guy just eliminated pretty much every euro van, and I don't blame him, as a European I can safely say that these things are horrible, except for the VW Transporter with the 5 cylinder TDI, which is known to be very reliable. The only problem is that we are stuck with these vans and with the Hiace discontinued years ago we don't get any reliable Japanese alternatives

[Vinnitintin]

My family had the people mover version of the transport, the Caravelle. Circa 2002. Was supposed to tow boats, and had room for a wheel chair lift.

Just after warranty expired the first gearbox went. Because of the lack of vans fitting the wheel chair lift, my parents opted for replacing the gearbox.
$12, 000. At least at this point it was still driveable when it was replaced.
2 years later it went again, same price but new installer.
Not within a day, the 2nd gearbox seized up out on the road outside our house. Apparently the mechanic forgot some sort of lubricant.
3rd gearbox was free but at this point my parents wanted out.
Got a Toyota HiAce converted to a people mover.
Caravelle worth 4 grand trade in after being bought for Nearly 60k.

[markpestell]

hey i have a 3.0 L turbo, ducato camper, manual 6 speed gear box, 180, 000 km and it is a 4 ton wonderful van which goes like a rocket, it is very reliable, and over the last 5 years of getting around and camping twice a year long distance, has been a real beauty, a great buy. never an issue

[adampastega]

regular service for
2013 vito merc still great at 360000kms. ok so no air con and a rear door locking problem.

[cthorno]

Ducatos?? All I see getting around in TAS and FNQ are those things... I reckon FIAT sell more of them than 500s.

[zedlicious]

Have a sprinter ex Ambo fat truck p FYI. Stripped it bare, so no blood, no ghosts and had it for 3 years now, and it’s been a reliable

[alexzjohns]

Love it! Very informative, also had a laugh 👌🏼 Good stuff man!

[troydowler]

Yesterday I test drove a used 2019 Transit Custom VO LWB and loved it, still has factory warranty but now I'm not so sure.

[bendavis]

So that leaves the Renault master and Iveco Daily for big vans?

Sprinters really are the best choice here. As you said they're used as ambulances and passed on after 350k mark which is still very young for a diesel. More around than any other in its category. It's safer. Easy to service yourself. The thing just needs a catch can and you're done. Which is a good idea in any diesel engine anyway.

[lundsweden]

Before I even watch this list, I know VW will make it in the top 5!

[KazeHorse]

Truth be told if I was Australian I would be looking for a t1n sprinter - but I agree the newer ones aren’t worth the hassle.

We have one in the U.K. and the biggest issue with it is rust. In a warmer climate it may well be the best vehicle I have ever owned.

[PeterJUren]

Really scary! Most of these vans are used as Mobile Homes. I can just see a couple of Grey Nomads stranded by the side of the road at the back 'o Bourke.

[MataH]

Thanks you just answered quite a few of my questions! Was considering a Vitto, not anymore!! You don't mention the Renault anywhere, what do you think of it? Same as Peugeot?

[terrificspokesman]

The Mercades Vito and Sprinter also have huge rust issues especially in the UK.

[terrificspokesman]

The Expert is also crap in the UK with terrible French quality. The only thing that is decent is the engines. Peugeot makes decent diesel engines but the rest of the van is not that good.

[totorishop]

Yep had a 2016 transit. 25K repairs including engine replacement. 130k mileage. Was well maintained .

[blackstonegallery]

Shame to see the Transit not stacking up these days. I’ve owned a couple of late 90s VG Transits and they were amazing.