Volkswagen tops FN50 Reliability Survey

In a double victory for VW, the company’s Transporter has also been recognised as the most reliable van. The annual FN50 survey is the largest of its kind and this reliability ranking is based on data from a collective fleet of more than 460,000 commercial vehicles. The top 10 was:

1. Volkswagen

2. Ford

3. Mercedes-Benz

4. Vauxhall

5. Peugeot

6. Renault

7. Toyota

8. Citroen

9. Nissan

10. Maxus

Volkswagen led the reliability index this year with the Transporter, which sat in second place last year, overtaking the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and ending its nine-year stranglehold at the top of the reliability ranking. Ford’s reliability ranking took a hit this year – bumping it into second place – after it emerged that some of its older diesel engines were suffering with premature timing belt failure. The issue prompted Ford to revise the service schedule for affected models.

Mercedes-Benz becomes the third most reliable van maker, having topped the table in 2022. Its ageing Vito model drops out of the top 10 model list, while the Citan – introduced two years ago – is also absent from the ranking.

Stellantis brands Vauxhall and Peugeot hold the fourth and fifth positions, while Citroen climbs one place to sit as the eighth most reliable brand. The entire Stellantis model range was updated this year, bringing enhanced technology, new styling and a full range of electric powertrains. The Vauxhall Vivaro was recognised as the most reliable Stellantis model this year.

Toyota moves to seventh. While its vans are based on existing Stellantis models, the brand provides a stronger aftersales proposition with dedicated LCV dealers and a 10-year warranty offer.

Renault, meanwhile, moves up the reliability table, securing sixth place and leapfrogging Alliance partner Nissan, which falls to ninth.

Renault was one of the fastest growing van brands in 2023, following the introduction of the all-new Kangoo. This year it introduced a new Master as part of an evolving line-up. The older Trafic was Renault’s best performing van in this year’s reliability survey.

Maxus enters the top 10 most reliable brands list for the first time, displacing Fiat. The Chinese brand, which replaced LDV in 2020, has been growing its model line-up considerably. While sales volumes remain low, Maxus has models in the three core size categories and offers multiple electric options.

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