Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has taken the lead in the 2024 FN50 reliability index, overtaking competitors to be ranked as the most reliable van brand in the UK. The FN50, an annual survey by Fleet News, is based on data from over 460,000 commercial vehicles and provides a snapshot of reliability across the UK’s most popular van brands and models. This year’s report saw Volkswagen’s Transporter model secure the top spot, displacing the longstanding leader, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and pushing Ford Pro to second place in the brand rankings.
The survey’s findings highlight shifts in the sector, with Volkswagen’s lineup seeing strong ratings for reliability, particularly the Transporter, Caddy, and Crafter models. Volkswagen’s Transporter moved up from last year’s second-place ranking to become the most reliable van model of 2024, receiving positive feedback for its durability and consistent performance in commercial settings. Craig Cavanagh, national fleet manager for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, noted that the results reflect the brand’s focus on meeting fleet needs for reliability and operational consistency.
Top 10 Reliable Van Models and Brands
The FN50 ranked Volkswagen’s Transporter as the most reliable van model for 2024, with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Volkswagen Caddy following closely. Ford models also placed well, with the Transit Connect and Transit Custom in the top five, maintaining Ford’s strong presence despite a slight decline due to some mechanical issues in older diesel engines.
The full ranking for van models in 2024 includes:
- Volkswagen Transporter
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- Volkswagen Caddy
- Ford Transit Connect
- Ford Transit Custom
- Vauxhall Vivaro
- Ford Transit
- Volkswagen Crafter
- Toyota Proace
- Renault Trafic
Volkswagen now leads the brand rankings as the most reliable van manufacturer, with Ford Pro and Mercedes-Benz Vans in second and third places. Ford’s drop to second is partly due to issues with premature timing belt wear in some older diesel models, prompting the brand to adjust its maintenance schedules for those affected vehicles. Mercedes-Benz Vans, previously a reliability leader with the Sprinter, is now third. Notably, the Vito model has fallen out of the top 10 list, and the Citan, introduced two years ago, is also absent.
The top 10 most reliable brands in 2024 are as follows:
- Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
- Ford Pro
- Mercedes-Benz Vans
- Vauxhall
- Peugeot
- Renault
- Toyota
- Citroen
- Nissan
- Maxus
Shifts in Reliability and Emerging Trends
The 2024 FN50 report reflects some broader trends in the industry. Stellantis brands like Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Citroen all ranked within the top ten, benefiting from recent updates to their models that now feature enhanced technology and more electric options. The Vauxhall Vivaro, in particular, stood out as the most reliable Stellantis model.
Renault, which saw rapid growth in 2023, climbed the reliability rankings this year with the success of its updated Kangoo and new Master models. The Renault Trafic, though an older model, also performed well in the survey, indicating its continued popularity among fleet operators.
Chinese brand Maxus entered the top 10 for the first time. Since replacing LDV in 2020, Maxus has expanded its offerings, especially in electric vans, which has helped it establish a foothold in the UK market. Though its overall sales volume remains low, the brand’s inclusion in the FN50 top 10 indicates a growing acceptance of Maxus models among fleet operators.
Volkswagen’s rise in the 2024 FN50 rankings highlights an increasingly competitive environment among van manufacturers. While Ford and Mercedes-Benz maintain strong positions, Renault and Maxus are establishing themselves as reliable choices for fleet operators.
Overall, the FN50 reliability index continues to offer valuable guidance on the most reliable brands and models available, helping fleet operators navigate their options in a rapidly evolving commercial vehicle market.
