Faults:

Alternator, power steering pump, injectors, oil leak, brakes.

Interior showing serious wear, but the miles are getting high.

Exterior surprisingly unmarked for age and mileage.

General Comments:

A solid van from Renault. Bought from my old place of work, I have used this van privately for a while now.

It's been an effective load lugger and surprisingly powerful and economical. Even loaded, the 2.0 diesel engine pulls strong while doing around 37 mpg on diesel. More is possible with the van empty. A few expensive repairs aside, it has been an economical van to run.

It's pretty good to drive for a van. Quiet enough about town and on motorways. Certainly when compared to a friend's Ford Transit of a similar age, which was soo noisy it gave me a sore head after a long drive. But this Renault Trafic is much more refined.

Rear load area is spacious and woodlined from new.

It's just a fantastic van for work or leisure. You can get them on the used market for a decent price now. Buy only a looked after vehicle and you should be good to go. Popular also is a lot of people convert these vans to motorhomes.

Faults:

Oil pump.

Fuel pump.

Alternator + battery.

Power steering pipe leaked.

Spare wheel carriage rusted (stupid old design, located underneath the van exposed to the elements!)

Plus all the expected wear and tear for the age and miles.

General Comments:

Like most big white vans, this Renault Trafic started life as a works van for a builders company. Later I bought it and converted it to a motor-home. Very popular with these vans.

They are easy to convert, cut the panels to fit new side and rear windows (tinted) all round and with a new set of alloy wheels the van already looked the part.

Inside the rear bulkhead was removed, carpeted and new wood lined interior, portable wash facilities and bench seats for maximum comfort, it can also take a bed if fitted correctly.

The van is actually nice to drive, fast enough while still doing 35 - 40 mpg on diesel, good for its size and weight.

Hope to keep this a long time despite its age and miles, it is in very good condition, despite being used for work in its early life, it was looked after well. Roll on the summer!

Faults:

Power steering pump (probably the most expensive thing), alternator, brakes, suspension, exhaust, trim panel coming loose, climate control not very efficient, and recently the gear shift feels a bit stiff.

Sliding side door a bit hard to close. Coolant sensor and indicator relay failed.

I try to look after the van as much as possible, never missed a service.

General Comments:

This Renault was used as a works van for the first 5 years or so of its life before becoming my private van. I planned to do a motor-home conversion, but never got round to it, instead used the van as it is. It has been very practical and comfortable for a works van, easy to drive and economical enough to run.

Not bad looking, but it is the typical white with huge grey bumpers and wheel trims, pretty dull. Nice set of alloy wheels would sharpen it up. Inside was wood-lined from new, so no nasty dents or anything.

2.0 turbo diesel in a van this size does 36 - 41 mpg, not bad. Not very fast, but the torque from the engine is great, the van never struggles even when fully loaded.

Trim quality could be better - typical Renault with light grey plastic that breaks easily, and it is everywhere. Seats are comfortable however and decent quality. Mechanically, apart from the usual wear and tear, the engine has stood up very well to high mileage and heavy use.

All in all the Trafic is a great van and a popular sight on the road, and it is easy to see why - reliable work vans and popular for all sorts of conversions for private use.