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.

Faults:

A/C is dead, power steering pump failed, plus battery and alternator. All the expected mechanicals of high mileage and age. The van has been generally reliable however, it was serviced on time.

General Comments:

This Trafic was used as a works van from nearly new and has been excellent, now I am going to convert it to a motor home. Being the crew van it will be easy enough, lots of work, but it already has the extra seats and space plus tinted windows and double doors.

The 2.0 diesel is not fast nor economical for a diesel - struggling to get 40 mpg, but I suppose this is good for a large van.

These vans are very versatile and make a good base for any work or project you want to do. Also has been very reliable - a major surprise for me, never had a Renault before but always heard bad stories about them, but mine has been excellent.