Reliability (1 Viewer)

[Big bus man]

Most MH's use the Fiat/Peugeot platform, no doubt due the the cost and the fact they have the low rear chassis design. I would be interested to know about reliability issues with these units, MH's are ofter left untouched for weeks on end many probably covering just 2-3000 miles a year so, do they always start first time, is it important to service every year and most of all what are the electrics like. I ask that because having owned French cars in the past everything is linked to the PCU so even a minor fault would prevent the engine from starting.

 

[Lenny HB]

The Fiat Ducato is probably one of the most reliable vans of the current bunch, a good work horse very refined by van standards. With any vehicle it is not good to leave them standing for long periods, if not using mine for a while I take mine for a 15-20 mile drive every few weeks.


If you are only going to do 2000-3000 miles a year not much point in buying one.

 

[Big bus man]

I get your point Lennyhb about the low mileage, that is what I estimate I will do from mileages on used MH's and from seeing the same MH's forever parked in driveways. The thing is I am one of the newer breed of motorhomes that still have a young family but wanted to go down the MH route rather than continue down the caravan route like most other families the reason being we could travel further and stop wherever we want including towns and visitor venues then move on rather than the same old journey back to the caravan site. The best bit being we feel as if we are getting many mini holidays but because of the silly school rules (don't get me started on that!!) this means weekends, problem is this also means turning up last on sites so choice of pitch is not an option. This is getting away from the mileage thing, distance travel is limited to school holidays. By the time retirement falls I will be an 'experienced motorhomer' and will then look forward to driving to where the sun is like many of you lucky people.

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[Charlie]

Most MH's use the Fiat/Peugeot platform, no doubt due the the cost and the fact they have the low rear chassis design. I would be interested to know about reliability issues with these units, MH's are ofter left untouched for weeks on end many probably covering just 2-3000 miles a year so, do they always start first time, is it important to service every year and most of all what are the electrics like. I ask that because having owned French cars in the past everything is linked to the PCU so even a minor fault would prevent the engine from starting.

I think firstly you should say which generation of vehicle ?

The later ones are far better in terms of build quality than the early ones. French vehicles whilst still not perfect have come on a long way in the last 5 or 6 years.

If a vehicle is to stand then servicing is more important than ever. Starting and engine and driving a short distance will create condensation within and IMO this is not a great idea. But more frequent oil changes should be done if this practice is to take place.

High mileage vehicles with the miles done on the motorway are often better than lower miles ones that have been doing stop start round town driving. The engines in vehicles fitted with DPFs need a bloody good thrashing every now and then.

You can buy a battery optimiser that you can hook up to the battery's. I don't like leaving them permanently connected but its dead easy to hook up every couple of weeks to keep battery s at their best.

 

[maison]

Any vehicle based on a commercial chassis is going to be, at least, reliable.

Commercial van operators vote with their wallets and will not buy unreliable units, forcing manufacturers into continuous development.

Each manufacturer has strengths and yes, despite what some people will tell you, weaknesses. However, there are no truly awful vehicles out there nowadays.

My M/H is based on the latest Ducato chassis and is excellent but a bit harsher on the suspension than some others. (I have read that Mercedes suspension can be too soft, rolling on corners).

As I said, strengths and weaknesses!

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Back in the day I worked in a Fiat dealership and yes compared to a lot of other brands they did leave a lot to be desired. Now on my second Fiat Ducato chassis mh and absolutely happy with both of them.
I did have an injector pump fault with the first one due to a sticking piston but this could have happened to any common rail engine ( fully fixed for £360 including fitting a new fuel pump in tank that was taken out once realised original ok - all retail price at injection specialist). Cause was dirt in fuel jamming piston.
The new one had a known fault with water in the boost controller that let me down as it stood for 4 months but was sorted under warranty.
Fiat make the camping car chassis as a specialist build to almost all motorhome manufacturers for good reason - it is really good.
Mercedes (German quality vehicles) are also available but personally I would not entertain one for three reasons.
1) they are not built specifically as a mh chassis
2) they cost a fortune to fix
3) the dealer network cannot match Fiat Professional for coverage.
Only my personal opinions but they do sell about 8 out of 10 chassis for mh's
As for not starting, it is usually the battery that is the cause which to be fair is the same issue for every brand of vehicle if it fails.

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[stcyr]

Damned unreliable ... one driveshaft gaiter (£2.90) and one recon alternator (£40) in only 6 years... and not a single mot fail ... tchah!

 

[froghopper43]

We have a 1986 Renault traffic motorhome. Yes over the last few years it needed alternator. Fuel pump. And carbretter.. Never let me down. Been used as only vehicle. Been to Croatia. Europe so many times. Weekends away most times. But break that down it has cost nothing... And failed its mot last year on a door will and a track rod end.. And that's a Renault traffic... France. Holland and Belgium over Xmas/new year. Magic

 

[tonka]

Some of the issue that I see arise and mentioned in Forums / Facebook is usually down to emissions problems..
Recently I had a DPF sensor failure, van run often 28,000 in 3 years so not left standing about.
Blocked DPF / ERG problems that sort of thing get mentioned..

On my old 2005 van that had the 2.8jtd engine the only fault I had was wheel bearing plus a loose fuel filter (just after a service)...

2 - 3,000 miles a year !!!!!! I did more than that in August but that was to Benidorm and back

Ref using the van with kids, yes there is more scope.. As you say, can arrive late and your already kitted out.. We motorhomers often comment that we can pull up and have a brew, get the TV on and be cooking Tea in minutes while some poor caravanner is winding down his legs, fetching water, hooking electrics etc. Quick weekends away at rallies are easier as well if you leave the van loaded and ready to go..

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[seabreezesports]

Iveco ( same engine 2.8l as Fiat)
2 x high pressure pumps (£560 each)
1 x injector £270
Numerous meetings to the computer. Labour beyond count.
Temperature gauge does what it like when it likes .
1 x alternator
When it's running brilliant . Not bad on fuel and pulls well drives well.
Most unreliable vehicle after a range rover .

 

[landscaper]

Had our Fiat since new in 2007 - almost frightened to put it in black and white but - no issues apart from needing a new battery and a fuel filter which was not fitted properly by the dealer. Bet it goes and goes wrong now though!!!!!!!!

 

[Neckender]

Some early X250 Fiat's and Peugeot's suffered with reverse gear judder so be careful if buying a second hand one, they also suffered with water ingress to the engine bay. This was caused buy ill fitting windscreen scuttle, and poor drainage so water ran down to the electronics giving quite a few problems. My 2014 Peugeot Auto Sleeper still had the scuttle problems which I have fixed myself.
I had a 2008 Fiat Trigano Tribute with the reverse gear judder and Fiat could not fix it, so 3 years old I part exed for a 2011 Ford Transit Auto Roller, we owned this for 3 years and did not have any problems whatsoever in 17,500 miles.
Our current Peugeot based van has been brilliant, 13,000 miles in 19 months and have only had the scuttle problem.

John.

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[Irishrover]

Just completed over 7 thousand kms around Europe in our 1999 Fiat based Adria ( 2.8 turbo idtd ) Never missed a beat, every gauge was exactly where it should be and oil consumption was minimal....couldnt ask for any more really