Big boys drive transits as they know a good van , whereas the vivaro is driven by.......... Well it's not really as a lot spend wayyyyyy to much time in the garage being repaired. Transits won't let you down and if they do they are cheap to fix and the parts are ten a penny, also more room in the cab and the van
That was definitely the case with the older, basic models.
But since the engine has gone common rail, parts and servicing costs have increased considerably. A fuel pump on a 2.5 Tddi lump was basic, cheap and quick to replace. The lastest one sits in the tank, costs nearly £300 and is must move difficult to replace. The old Injector pumps where basic and were easily repaired at the local diesel repair specialists as were the injectors. Not any more. Any diesel mechanic could do a good repair on them - now he needs more specialised equipment.
Saying that, the counter balance is that the pumps do seem to be more reliable.
This is the same scenario regardless of the make these days. Lower emmision requirements are costing us. Whilst I agree that diesel soot needed to be cleaned up by filtering the exhaust gases, the rest is a load of rubbish which is costing us. For good reason the USA rejected all this emmissions reduction nonsense.
I wonder when the change over point is when we are going to start demanding petrol engined vans rather than diesel.