Historical data from the UK Government Vehicle Check Recalls Service has revealed which of the UK's most popular van models have been subject to the highest number of manufacturer recalls between 2020 and 2024.
The top five most recalled models accounted for 78 recalls and affected more than half a million vans, with a total of 527,050 vehicles.
The Mercedes Sprinter tops the list, with 32 separate recall incidents recorded. This means that across the period, there were 32 occasions where Mercedes-Benz issued a recall for the Sprinter model. In total, 246,724 different size Mercedes Sprinter vans were involved in recalls.
The Ford Transit and Vauxhall Vivaro share second place, with 13 recall incidents each during the same period. The total number of vehicles recalled for these models were 104,003 for the Ford Transit, and 21,576 for the Vauxhall Vivaro.
All recorded recalls were due to a variety of problems, including software and electronic system malfunctions, potential mechanical failures, and safety concerns related to seat mechanisms and electrical wiring.
Other vans with a high number of recalls include the Peugeot Expert (11 recalls, 35,534 vehicles) and the Ford Transit Custom (9 recalls, 119,113 vehicles).
At the other end of the scale, the Volkswagen Crafter and Ford Transit Connect had the fewest recalls, with just one incident each. The VW Crafter had 104 vehicles recalled, and the Ford Transit Connect had just 9 vehicles recalled.
Other models with low recall numbers include the Renault Trafic (3 recalls, 1,202 vehicles), the Peugeot Partner (3 recalls, 31,315 vehicles) and the Vauxhall Combo (3 recalls, 2,270 vehicles).
It is important to note that the figures for total vehicles recalled include all models involved in a given recall, so the number for each individual model may be affected. A single vehicle could also be recalled multiple times
Vehicle recalls can be issued for a variety of reasons, not just for safety concerns.
