Ford Transit Custom Review (2026): The UK's Best-Selling Van, Assessed

The Transit Custom is Ford's one-tonne mid-size panel van, the default choice for tradespeople, couriers and small businesses who want something easy to drive and cheap to own. It sits below the full-size Transit and above the small Transit Connect. There's a first generation (2012–2023) and an all-new second generation (2023 on), plus the passenger Tourneo Custom and a fully electric E-Transit Custom.

This is where the Custom wins. It drives more like a car than a van: precise steering, composed body control and a comfortable ride even unladen. The cabin is car-like too: a proper dashboard, good driving position and, on the 2023-on model, a big portrait touchscreen and much-improved materials. First-gen interiors feel plainer and plasticky by comparison, but everything is logically placed and hard-wearing. Visibility and manoeuvrability make it genuinely easy in town, which matters when you're in and out of it all day.

A sensible load bay with a roughly one-tonne payload covers the vast majority of trades. You get L1/L2 lengths, an H1 roof, a bulkhead, and the clever load-through hatch on many versions for long pipes and lengths. The Double-Cab-in-Van adds a second row for a crew. It's not the biggest-volume mid-van, but the shape is usable and the accessory/racking ecosystem is enormous because the van is everywhere. For bulkier or heavier loads you'd step up to the full-size Transit.

Post-2016 the 2.0 EcoBlue diesel is the engine to have, in 105, 130 and 170PS. The 130PS is the sweet spot: enough for a loaded van and relaxed on the motorway, with the 170PS worth it for heavy or constant long-haul work. There's a mild-hybrid version for marginally better town economy, a strong six-speed auto, and the E-Transit Custom if you're going electric. Early 2.2 TDCi vans are cheaper but older and down on refinement.

Running costs are a strength: competitive economy, and because it's the UK's best-seller, parts are cheap and specialists are everywhere. Resale is excellent: the single biggest ownership plus. On reliability it's generally dependable, but with one important caveat: the 2.0 EcoBlue uses a wet (oil-bath) cambelt that must be changed on schedule: a neglected belt is the costly failure to avoid, so buy on documented history. Town-only vans can also clog the DPF. None of this is a deal-breaker. It just makes service history essential. The deeper fault checklist is in our buyer's guide.

• Best-in-class to drive: car-like and easy in town
• Very strong resale value and cheap, plentiful parts
• Economical, with the proven 2.0 EcoBlue engine
• Huge choice on the used market; big accessory ecosystem
• Modern, upmarket cabin on the 2023-on model

• Wet-belt cambelt must be serviced on time (buy on history)
• Many are ex-fleet high-milers: inspect carefully
• First-gen interior feels plain next to the latest model
• Not the biggest load volume in the mid-size class

• Driving: 4.6/5
• Practicality: 4.5/5
• Value: 4.5/5
• Running costs: 4.2/5
• Reliability: 4.0/5
• Overall: 4.4/5

Yes: for most buyers in the mid-size class the Transit Custom is the smart default. It's the nicest to drive, the cheapest to own over time thanks to resale and parts, and the easiest to sell on. Target a post-2016 2.0 EcoBlue (ideally 130PS) with full service history and a documented cambelt change, check the DPF on town-used vans, and you'll have the UK's most sellable van working for you.

Find yours: browse live Ford Transit Customs, and read the buyer's guide before you view.