Faults:

Difficult to start in cold weather, especially at fairly low temperatures and if it spends the night outside a garage; otherwise, it presents no problems in this regard.

The engine malfunction light (check engine) may come on due to jerking or loss of power, often due to faults in injectors or pump.

The loss of fifth gear is a common problem in the manual transmissions of this van from the 1990s and early 2000s. It is usually due to wear on the fifth gear pinion, often aggravated by a lack of lubrication.

Problems with the fuel gauge, especially when filling the tank to the maximum.

General Comments:

I bought this van back in early 2009 to replace my previous Transit (not much older than this one, it was from 1995) and, beyond the problems I mentioned (nothing worrying since it was used with more than 60,000 km) it gave me much more satisfaction than expected.

If I had to compare it to the Transit, mechanically and in terms of engine, both are very reliable and built to last as long as possible. The difference I noticed was mainly in the handling and the interior. The Ducato is clearly more modern, with more technology, better finishes, and is also much easier to drive.

The van weighs almost 2200 kg (3.5 tons). Its payload is usually between 1200 kg and 1500 kg, although in my experience it can carry more, especially with this engine, which is the largest in the series.

Its design is ideal not only for work but also for recreation, which is why you see so many Ducato camper vans.

As for handling, although it's the largest and heaviest, it's not difficult to maneuver in the city, except in tight spaces, but overall it handles well. Despite its rugged appearance, it's surprisingly capable.

The engine is by far the best thing about this vehicle: spartan, with just the right amount of electronics, and more than proven. With proper maintenance, it won't keep you up at night. Easy to maintain and inexpensive, it's the kind of engine they don't make anymore, but you really miss it these days with cars and engines that require extremely high maintenance and have questionable reliability.

It has the necessary power and can take you over 140 km/h if you ask it to, even with the air conditioning on.

Fuel consumption generally doesn't exceed 10 liters per 100 km, which I consider low for a large van. Of course, if you drive aggressively, consumption will skyrocket, but under normal conditions, it's quite economical.

Faults:

Clutch, oil leak, plus the usual wear and tear.

General Comments:

Super reliable Ducato van from Fiat, I have had this a long time.

Easy to convert to a motorhome.

2.8 diesel not fast, but economical for a large heavy van.

Not bad to drive for its age. Can be a pain to park due to its size, but you get used to it.

27 years old and still going strong, what more can you say, a solid simple vehicle.

Faults:

Starting and fuel problems, cold start failures, fuel pressure issues, faulty sensors, and clogged filters. These are all easy issues to fix.

The check engine light came on due to valve problems, as a result of oil loss from the turbo, which requires periodic service every 10,000 miles.

I also had problems with the brakes and clutch. Squealing brakes due to wear or problems with the rotors and pads, as well as clutch slippage.

The clutch eventually broke after 120,000 miles and inevitably had to be replaced.

General Comments:

It's a van I highly value, first of all because it's very economical; it consumes very little fuel, whether you drive it in the city or on the highway. This is essential for those who use their vehicle as a work tool.

It is also very powerful and agile, with good maneuverability on urban routes despite its size. Its balanced suspension also provides excellent ride comfort. The steering is supple and precise, and the suspension provides excellent ride comfort, absorbing uneven terrain well.

Safety is another of the Ducato's strong points, as it comes equipped as standard with systems such as electronic stability control (ESC), ABS, ASR and hill start assist.

Fiat's Multijet engine is the best of the diesels; it's not too noisy, has enough power for overtaking with great thrust and agility, especially at low revs. It is very comfortable to drive at speeds above 80 mph as the engine has great response and stability, allowing for driving very similar to that of a car.

The L1H1 model is the smallest of the Ducatos, so cabin storage is the biggest drawback, especially for those who use the vehicle for work; storage space in the driver's area is limited.

In my case, I work for a bakery, and it's fine for me; for other types of work, a larger van may be necessary.