The Ford Transit gave birth to the "White Van Man". Since its introduction in 1965, it has mobilized the workforce and allowed industrious individuals to kick-start their business ventures. Its large payload and flat floor allowed for more stock to be packed and it wasn't long before the large cargo area was converted into mobile workshops, doggie grooming parlours and flexible workspaces.
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Vehicles that a business depends on, be it for services rendered or deliveries, have to be reliable and efficient to run. Anything that is too expensive to maintain eats away at the company's profits. Downtime is the biggest loss generator and no business can afford to be down for any longer than is absolutely necessary. Below we look at some of the common faults in the Transit range and investigate what they cost to maintain out of service plan.
Known faults
The Ford Transit has a reputation for being more reliable than some of its competitors in the commercial van sector. Aside from the affordable purchase price, the known reliability bodes well for the blue oval van. While no vehicle is perfect, the Ford Transit only has a few common faults that one can expect to encounter.
Power Loss
Often as a result of clogged or dirty injectors, the loss of power can sometimes be as a result of sub-par diesel or extended stop-start use. This can also often be rectified without having to do serious work to the engine.
Air conditioner
A fairly common fault in Fords, especially in South Africa where the average temperatures are higher than normal. This is often a result of a blocked condenser unit and will present as an air conditioner that blows warm air rather than cool.
Brakes
While not too alarming, some owners have experienced premature brake wear. It has to be understood that the Transit is a heavier vehicle and transporting larger loads will see fewer miles extracted from a set of brakes. However, it's worth checking that the pads have been installed correctly and that the callipers have not frozen or seized up.
Cost of maintenance
Depending on the model you choose, your service intervals could be every 15 000 km or every 20 000 km. Prices naturally fluctuate but at the time of writing, we received quotes for minor services in the region of R3 200 with major services costing approximately R6 500, excluding the belts. If you're requiring one of the major services that look at the timing belts of chains, expect to pay in the region of R12 000 to R13 000 for the service.
Naturally, these prices will largely depend on the current state of your vehicle and exclude any other repair work that may be required.
