Nissan’s long-established cab-over favourite, the Cabstar, has been named as Glass’s Used Van Hero for November.
Each month, Glass’s commercial vehicle editors hold a meeting to name the current Used Van Hero in the UK market – the model they believe offers outstanding value, quality and ability.
Andy Picton, Senior Commercial Vehicle Editor: “As a lightweight cab-over design, the Cabstar is pretty much unique, certainly in the UK commercial vehicle sector.
“However, it is this layout that makes it very popular, both as a standard drop side model and as the basis for a wide range of conversions.”
The Cabstar has been around since 1968 with the latest variant, the NT400, reaching the market in 2011.
“Because of its uniqueness, values tend to hold well but, generally speaking, this is a well-built vehicle and even an older example should give trouble-free service.
“There are only really a couple of problem areas – one is potential rust under the driver’s seat and the other is that, compared to most modern vans, equipment is sparse.”
USED VAN HERO: Nissan Cabstar
WHY? A very adaptable forward control vehicle and a favourite of the building trade.
WHEN WAS IT ON SALE? The first generation of the Cabstar was launched in 1968 as a replacement for the Datsun Cablight. It’s been around ever since.
WHAT’S GOOD? Constructed to carry high payload and has a particularly small turning circle. Chassis lends itself to many different body conversions. Latest NT400 version now comes with a 5 year/100,000 warranty.
WHAT’S BAD? Designed as a load lugger, the cab-over design of the Cabstar means it’s unlikely to be the quietest vehicle on the road and its basic specification is not on a par with most vans on the market. It can also be prone to rust, particularly under the driver’s seat.
IDEAL BUY? Nissan Cabstar 34.10 SWB Dropside 30-40k 2008/58 – £5500+VAT.
