Fiat Ducato Base Longevity

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Oct 22, 2020
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Hi, I subscribe to the ‘Honest John’ email and while reading the latest Q&A section this caught my eye;


Our van falls into the category of low annual mileage simply because we cannot get away as often as we would like due to family commitments (like many other owners I’m sure).

What are peoples views on the statement in the article linked above that Fiat Ducato vans are designed for 6 to 7 year high mileage usage and then scrapped?

It does not ring quite true to me given the amount of older Fiat Ducato based motor homes you see on the road. But if it were, what preventative maintenance is recommended (other than regular servicing) to ensue low mileages dont result in long term problems ?
 
Rust proofing I think would be the major factor in a long life.
Most ducatos are thrashed six days a week as delivery vans and eventually become uneconomical to continue with mechanical repairs.
If you can keep the rot away there's no reason why it can't have a life as a motorhome for 20-25 + years.
 
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And there lies the problem with people paying 20-25k for vans 20-25 years old.
 
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I previously had a 2007 Ducato. It started life as a workman's van. Did about 40k miles over the next 3 years. Then was converted to a campervan. When I sold last year, it had 85k on it. There was very little rust. The rocker panel under the driver's door needed a respray. Some of the brackets in the engine bay and heat shields were crusty. But it was generally in good shape.

Major items replaced were the leaf springs as the bushes had died, a throttle body and a MAF sensor.

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The original design brief for the medium size van market has always been for a cheap mode of transport to carry goods and a 1m europallet with a lifespan of 250,000 miles or 5 years. The longevity of motorhomes has created a vast aftermarket for parts after the usual lifespan ends meaning Fiat no long have to stock parts

Just a few facts of life based on a commercial vehicle being converted to use as a leisure vehicle. Just think, of the few thousand new motorhomes per year compared to the millions of various van versions being used by couriers, builders, and any other trade which use, abuse and wear out a van in 2 to 3 years
 
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Many thanks for all the replies, seems like we should not worry about this!
 
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