2005 Fiat Ducato 2.5 Sofim turbo diesel from Argentina

Summary:

Good van for everyday use

Faults:

Sheet metal is not the best thing this vehicle has. After a few years it rusts a lot around the baseboard.

Problems with the transmission after 300.000 km, although it's true that it wasn't well cared and maintained by the previous owner.

General Comments:

The van is comfortable, easy to drive, and you end up getting used to it in daily use.

The best thing it has is the engine; in addition to fuel economy, it's very reliable, excellent for those who use the vehicle to work, in addition to being private. It hasn't been touched for almost 500.000 km.

I'm quite satisfied with my purchase and hope to have it for several more years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th October, 2024

25th Dec 2024, 14:31

I don't know much about the Sofim engine. All the Ducatos I saw had the JTD/Multijet engine.

Good review. The second generation of the Ducato has a very attractive design.

1st Jan 2025, 15:38

I could be wrong but I believe the multi-jet engine is superior. We had several in our work place and they all were pretty reliable (if taken care of correctly). Easily 200,000 miles or more was common before we had to get new vans.

4th Jan 2025, 01:24

Hello everyone. I'm the owner of the van. The Sofim engine that my van has is older than Multijet and has less performance; even so it's an extremely reliable engine. It requires little maintenance and is optimal for day to day work.

The van is almost 20 years and I bought it 7 years ago and it works like the first day.

I'm more than happy with my vehicle.

2015 Fiat Ducato 35 Panel Van 2.3 multijet diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Huge practical van

Faults:

Oil pump.

Injectors.

Plus various other wear and tear parts changed for the mileage.

General Comments:

Typical white massive van, this Ducato has done our electrical business well. Always plenty of space.

Parking is a pain in the city though due to its size.

Not bad to drive, interior nice and car like, and not uncomfortable at all. Decent run of speed and not bad on diesel for its size. An economical van.

Repairs have been expensive, but worth it in the long run; look after this van and it will not cause you too much trouble.

Just a typical sturdy big white van that you see many of on the road. For a 2015 vehicle it still feels modern enough to use for another few years, despite the mileage getting higher.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 5th November, 2023

1st Sep 2024, 10:00

Really a good van, this Multijet engine is awesome, one of the best modern diesels.

And the van is cheap to repair, there are a lot of those Ducatos used for campers.

Good option to buy.

1994 Fiat Ducato from Poland

Summary:

Comfortable, capacious, reliable little one

Faults:

I bought the car after a serious accident where half of the car was completely damaged. But a good mechanic restored it to the previous shape. As for engine nothing happend, but some minor leakages, probably the gasket I never repaired it. Some untraceable irritating roaring from the left front suspension not a single mechanic could't find the source of it. Once I couldn't start it for some electric wire connections went rusty, WD40 solves the problem. Upholstery a little worn out due to it's daily use and dashboard started to buzz at bumpy streets which are generally common in poland. Hand brake not working. Rusty spots all over the body especially around the back door windows.

General Comments:

Besides of these minor problems car is just great in general. Perfectly handles the road, even in the shortest version load capacity in the back is enormous taking into account the size of the car. Driver's seats very comfortable on the long cruises, powered steering makes driving easier than in Hyundai for instance. Gear lever in the near vicinity to the steering wheel doesn't make driving with it hard. Very durable engine you just fill the tank and go. Many times I used it in the hard muddy terrains on the construction sites, but front drive makes it easy to get out of the hard area. The only problem is that you can't run it fast. My top reached velocity was about 60mph, but then engine is really noisy and you'd think it could blow at any second. Engine easy to repair. Perfect working tool for small companies especially when well maintained.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th March, 2006

2003 Fiat Ducato JTD 2.8 JTD from UK and Ireland

Summary:

It is big and it is clever!

Faults:

Front passenger wheel bearing replaced on warranty.

General Comments:

Tidy looking van with a quiet cabin at high speeds.

The dealer could do better (just another customer type feeling). As for running costs, it's the best van on the market, being cheaper to buy and parts are cheaper too, but with the iveco engine... a bit of quality thrown in!

Electric windows and mirrors as standard. Also a 3 year unlimited warranty.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2005

25th Nov 2022, 19:55

Good vans, 2.8 JTD was actually a decent engine as well.

16th Dec 2024, 02:16

A friend has had this same van for many years.

Excellent and extremely reliable engine.