Vauxhall Movano road tests and consumer car reviews

Vauxhall Movano dti 2003

An excellent van that has given 154,000 trouble free miles. It has been serviced every 3,000 miles. It is better and far more reliabe than a Ford Transit and parts are cheap if you stay away from Vauxhall. I would recommend this van to anyone. It also has excellent mpg, need I say more?

Vauxhall Movano 2008

I have been given a 2008 Movano from my company. I had it at 50 miles and now it’s on 58k in 2 years. BAD BITS: Nightmare to park, power steering rack broke, uncomfortable seats, POOR steering wheel position causing stretched arms and bad back, heavy doors that ping back onto your legs in the wind nearly taking your legs off, sliding door has come off its hinges around 5 times, vauxhall dealers are utter utter poor leaving oil cap off once which nearly caused a fire, SLOW. GOOD BITS: the stereo is ok, the compartments above the head are great apart from the times my folders came out and whacked me in the head nearly knocking me out while driving (wait is this a good or bad bit?), mirrors are nice and big, Good space OVER ALL: I wouldn’t buy this van myself. If you want a big van get a newer shape Sprinter or a VW Transporter if you want a small van.

Vauxhall Movano 2002

Vans with 250,000+ is common now. Our movano has 147,000 which isn’t bad but it costs a fortune every couple of months in repairs, clutches, gearbox, fuel pump, and loads of small problems; I have a fleet of 8 vans. I bought a 206 1.4 HDI 3 years ago on a 2003 reg on 67,000 its now done 206,000 all that has gone wrong is gearbox @ 193,000 and a small oil leak on a pipe which cost me £20 to fix, outstanding for a 1.4 engine returning 60MPG. A 2.2 engine should acheive a lot more in theory. I also have a transit connect 246.000 1.8 TDCI, only new clutch & alternator. The movano is a money throwing van and we are selling it soon and getting another transit.

Vauxhall Movano 2.5cdti 2006

I have had my Vauxhall Movano 2.5cdti for 2 years now and to be fair I have found it to be a great van and never let me down. As far as the body work looks I think it’s also a great looking van. I have had a few problems with the van but nothing more then you would expect for a van doing a 1000 miles a week!!, The same as any van if you look after it, it will look after you.

Responses to this review

I must say I have to agree with you. I have done 70,000 miles with no problems at all. Only wear and tear on tyres brakes etc. I change the oil every 3,000 miles and don’t thrash it around like your average white van man. They thrash the hell out of their vans then winge like babies when something goes wrong. Look after your van and it will look after you. Great van all round - Darren D from england

Hi guys, I have had the first non-turbo Vauxhall Movano, drove that till I had 168k miles on it and decided to get the face-lift model, 2.5cdti. I am a courier and spend 14 hours a day every day in this van and from experience, these vans are great. You have to drive them like they’re yours, not like you stole them. Since I’m a courier, my colleagues also own their own vans and some have Fiats, Peugeots, Mercedes and Transit vans, most of these vans are no older than three years old and I will tell you something, they all go wrong. Do not be fooled by some of the reviews on this website. Before you change the van, try driving these Movanos gently and don’t take your van to the dealership only when the service is overdue and you have a fault. Movanos need their timing belts changed at 80k, clutch before 100k. Because of my experience with these vans I get my oil changed every 3k miles, just took mine in for a new clutch at 80k and timing belt as well. Best word of advice is get these things done around about this mileage if you are planning on keeping this van. If not then don’t whinge when you are slapped with huge maintenance bills!! Forgot to mention that you must get your gearbox oil checked or check it yourself regularly to prevent gearbox failure. Remember the Police and Ambulance Services use Movano Vans and you don’t see them stuck or broken down anywhere along the country - Paul Trump from London

Vauxhall Movano 2.5 cdti 16 seat minibus 2008

I cannot praise the build quality and design of my Movano minibus highly enough. It’s a 2.5 cdti and its pretty responsive when you need the extra power, what with the fuel consumption and smooth drive, I reckon I made the best choice when I purchased it 12 months ago. I’m in the PSV passenger business and also drive a people carrier as I’m a taxi driver also, but I’ve got to say i can’t wait ’til I get behind of the wheel of my Movano as it’s sheer pleasure to drive.

Vauxhall Movano swb 2.2 dti 2002

I bought my Movano 2 years ago when it had done 98,000 miles. It’s now done 143,000 miles and has been a very good van. It can carry loads of weight and has always been reliable. I think it looks good too, and the cabin height is fantastic, much better than a Transit etc... Fuel consumption is OK for a 2.2 turbo diesel although it does take a lot to fill the tank. The ride quality can be a little bumpy at times but isn’t as bad as my previous van, a LDV Pilot. The body work is actually in amazing condition and as I said it’s always been a reliable, well built van. Personally, I think that when it comes to changing it in a year or 2, I will stick with the Vauxhall brand.

Vauxhall Movano 2002

Same problems as the dreaded Vivaro. Eats brake discs and gearboxes, clutches , slave and master cylinders are not up to the job. This van will cost you a fortune in repairs as opposed to earning you money. Avoid, and buy VW, Mercedes or a Transit instead!!!

Responses to this review

Having just sold a 2001 transit 280 I so so question your review. It is unfair, that transit cost me 1000s of pounds (diesel pump, lower coolant pipes due to leaking diesel, Gearbox remote selector unit, Alternator, starter motor, Rusts like an old tanker, leaking windscreen due to rust around the windscreen) These vans have serious issues and its not just me, the breakdown man rattled of the same list of failures on his own van. So guess what I have now? A 2004 2.5 3500 MWB MAXI roof Movano, to be honest it drives well, loads of space cheap spares. Please get out of the Mercedes/Volkswagen mentality, 4 -5 grand for something that has done 150000, miles Hmmm I don�t know a single sprinter owner that hasn�t bought them because they go like a rocket (what does that tell you!) And those engines are bullet proof (well they are if you look after them, but not many people do!) If you want to guide people towards a really good van perhaps an Iveco daily might be a step in the right direction. And don�t forget the Movano has been around for a long time and with many different makers sharing their parts and knowledge to create it. I know a plumber who has one that has over 260,000 on the clock and it still goes well. Perhaps you just got that Friday afternoon nightmare, but I can guarantee you one thing there will be just as many sprinter drivers out there who have been equally let down by their bullet proof 311s as you have with your Movano. I think the order of the day is there�s good and bad in all vehicles; you have been unfortunate and got a bad ’un - not fair review from Lothians

Here here totally agree - Darren D from england