The french make good wine and cheese and onions through and string as far as vans go I’d never buy a french one,speak to any good mechanic.
I'm around a number of people in the motor trade and with the exception of Renault, that seems to be universally despised, I've never heard any of them complain about French vans.
All of our motor factors deliver using Berlingos and Partners that knock up 50,000+ miles a year with few issues.
It used to be Escort vans and a brief go at the Transit Connect but about 15 years ago the French won and have been the van of choice ever since. As a Ford fan I found that a bit of a shock.
We used to deal with a supplier at Cullompton who uneventfully ran a Talbot Express van for 440,000 miles.
France is exceedingly good at making diesel engines that last. The 2.0 DW10, found in the Berlingo & Partner, is a near as bombproof as you'll ever find. They can often be found in taxis pushing 500k miles.
Similarly, the French are very good at making cars that last. We've had a dozen or more XM, CX, C5 & 406 over the last 30 years all of which have managed upward of 200k without any major issues. The fact that they use the same mechanicals in their vans inspires great confidence.
