Faults:

Rattling noises, especially when cold, indicate chain stretching or tensioner wear.

Air leaks in the turbo hoses, causing black smoke and a lack of power.

The diesel particulate filter is the main problem I had, especially on short journeys; it got clogged a couple of times and it's expensive to replace.

Clutch replacement around 230,000 km.

General Comments:

This van offers the perfect balance of simplicity, power, and efficiency. It's not a luxury vehicle, but a workhorse that delivers reliable power and long-lasting performance in tough conditions.

I've had it for many years now and I can't complain about its performance or reliability. As I mentioned before, the only serious problem so far has been the diesel particulate filter getting clogged; otherwise, it's fantastic.

It's quite comfortable, easy to drive, not as stiff as some other similar vans, and has very responsive steering.

The jewel of the vehicle is its engine, the 2.5 CDTi; it offers smooth, consistent torque and exceptional reliability under pressure. Despite being large it consumes very little (around 8l/100 km), and driving in a not so rational way (it is a work vehicle), on the road the consumption is even lower as long as you do not exceed 140.

With 290 Nm of torque available at low revs, the Vivaro moves confidently even when fully loaded. Whether towing, climbing hills, or merging into heavy traffic, the turbocharger ensures smooth and consistent power delivery without any lag.

It provides a feeling of comfort even under heavy workloads, thanks to its excellent ride comfort, very low engine noise, truly smooth operation, and strong, linear acceleration.

Whether used for urban logistics or regional deliveries, the engine makes the Vivaro a quiet and capable work partner.

I have no intention of changing it; as long as it continues to give me satisfactory results so far, I will keep it here with me.

Faults:

Power steering system leaked twice.

Faulty brake servo.

Stereo developed a mind of its own.

Timing belt broke at 46000.

Boost pump broke on the turbo (while at the dealer having the power steering system fixed).

Radiator started to leak after a loose wiring loom wore a hole in it.

General Comments:

Very comfortable (if unreliable) van and quite refined. Well equipped with airbag, CD player, electric windows, A.B.S. etc.

The problem is you just can't help, but wait for the next thing to go wrong. I believe the Nissan/Renault versions suffer gearbox problems - I just hope this won't.