Not really any 'bad' vans anymore in terms of reliability. If your father is planning on only using a trolley and backpack system, a combo sized van would be fine, especially the current fiat doblo based version. These come in 2 versions, 2000 (750kg payload) or 2300 (1000kg payload), also swb, lwb and lwb high roof versions. You can get some cracking deals on these and the doblo. I have a transit connect lwb, it has a 900kg payload, you might get some good deals on these as there is a new model just out.