Warrantywise reveals its first-ever used van Reliability Index
The Fiat Doblo is the most reliable used van in the UK. It tops the Warrantywise list of the Top 5 Most Reliable Used Vans for 2026 with a score of 68.2 out of 100.
Warrantywise has extended its Reliability Index to vans for the first time. The index draws on repair request data from the company’s extended warranty plans. For tradespeople and small businesses, a van off the road can mean missed jobs, delayed deliveries and disrupted schedules. The new rankings give them the same real-world view of reliability that used car buyers have enjoyed for years.
The Renault Kangoo follows the Doblo on 66.2, and the Citroën Berlingo takes third place on 64.2. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter scores 58.4, while the Volkswagen Caddy completes the Top 5 on 56.9.
How the Reliability Index Works
Warrantywise calculates each score from repair requests recorded between July 2023 and July 2026. The calculation considers how often owners request repairs and the average age and mileage of the van at the time. It also factors in the labour time involved. A model needs at least 150 examples on plan, aged between three and 15 years old, to qualify.
Warrantywise has more than 25 years of experience and has sold more than one million warranty plans. Its data covers thousands of vehicles. That gives the company a real-world view of the issues owners may encounter and what they can cost to put right.
The index arrives as the used van market gathers pace heading into autumn. BCA reports that average used light commercial vehicle values rose 5.9% year on year in August, with sold volumes up 4.2%. Professional buyers remain wary of vans in poorer mechanical or cosmetic condition. With values rising and condition firmly in focus, repair risk is an increasingly important part of the buying decision for tradespeople and small businesses. The index gives them a real-world starting point.
Inside the Top 5
The Fiat Doblo’s top score of 68.2 comes with turbochargers as its most regular repair request area. Most Doblo repairs appeared at around 8.7 years old or with around 74,762 miles on the clock. The average requested repair amount was £894.28.
The Renault Kangoo follows closely on 66.2. It recorded the lowest average requested amount in the Top 5, at £530.09. Its most expensive individual repair request, at £2,737.04, was also the lowest of the five. Most Kangoo repairs appeared at around 8.4 years old or around 84,901 miles.
The Citroën Berlingo scores 64.2. Its average requested amount was £1,011.72, while one individual repair request reached £9,308.40. Berlingo repair requests came at the lowest average mileage in the Top 5. Most repairs appeared at around 74,166 miles or when the vans were around 6.9 years old.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter scores 58.4. Most repairs appeared when the Sprinters were an average of six years old or had covered around 98,421 miles. The average repair request was £1,727.53. One individual request reached £17,698.80, the highest in the Top 5. Buyers should see that figure as context rather than a typical cost.
The Volkswagen Caddy completes the Top 5 on 56.9, with the fuel system as its most regular repair request area. Caddy repair requests came at the highest average age in the Top 5. At the time of repair, vehicles were an average of 9.1 years old with 83,233 miles on the clock. The average repair request was £908.78, and the highest individual request was £7,715.52.
Emissions Repairs and Rising Costs
A clear pattern emerges around emissions-related repairs across the Top 5. According to SMMT data, diesel still makes up 82.3% of new light commercial vehicle registrations year to date. The systems that keep those engines within emissions limits will therefore matter to the vast majority of vans entering the used market in the coming years.
Repair costs are also rising. Warrantywise’s wider data shows that the average hourly labour rate quoted in repair requests rose by 7.87% between 2023 and 2025, from £104.11 to £112.30. The company stresses that the Index figures reflect the period analysed. Buyers should not treat them as a guide to future repair costs.
A High Score Is Not a Guarantee
Warrantywise is clear that a high Reliability Index score does not mean a van will be free of issues. Reliability and repair severity are two different considerations. The Fiat Doblo is the highest-scoring and therefore most reliable van in the Index. Yet it recorded an individual repair request of £9,888.60, more than 11 times its average requested amount. These figures relate to individual repair requests rather than typical costs. They give no indication of what owners of any of these models can expect to pay.
Antony Diggins, Managing Director at Warrantywise, said: “Our Reliability Index has given used car buyers an evidence-based view of reliability for years, so extending the same analysis to vans was a natural next step. For tradespeople and businesses, a van is often the backbone of the business, and when it’s off the road, jobs and schedules can quickly be disrupted.
“One finding that stood out was emissions failure appearing as the most regular repair request area for three of the five highest-scoring vans. Across our van data, the average amount requested for an emissions-related repair was £1,474, showing that these issues can represent a significant unexpected cost. Understanding where repair requests arise and what they can cost is an important part of planning for the overall cost of running a used van.
“A key takeaway for van owners is that a high score is not a guarantee. Even among the highest-scoring vans, we see individual repair requests considerably higher than the average requested amount, which is why reliability and repair severity should be considered separately. A Reliability Index score is a useful starting point, but it works best alongside a thorough inspection and a full-service history, because every used van is different, and no score can tell you everything about the one in front of you.”
Advice for Used Van Buyers
Warrantywise recommends that buyers weigh up a range of factors. These include age, mileage, maintenance history, previous ownership, condition and intended use. A Reliability Index score offers useful context. It should sit alongside an inspection and service history rather than replace them.
The index is built on the repair requests that Warrantywise manages as a provider of extended warranties for used vans. The plans help owners manage the cost of unexpected repairs. They include emergency breakdown assistance as standard, plus support such as vehicle hire to keep businesses moving.
