And the winner is...
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After a shortlist drawn up by a panel of experts and a public vote by CM readers, the winners of the inaugural Used Truck Awards, a celebration of the UK's best second-hand CVs, sponsored by Hireco, can be revealed Winner: Volkswagen Transporter Runners up: Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner and Ford Transit Connect The VW Transporter was the clear favourite of our panel of experts and CM's readers. Its reputation is based on good build quality, excellent brand reputation and impressive, if not market-leading, residual values, combining style with practicality. The T5 is powered by a 2-litre diesel engine, with
a four power outputs, two wheelbases, three roof heights, four GVWs, five body styles and even the 4Motion all-wheel drive. So there's at least one configuration in there to suit your business needs. Judges' comment: "This is the clear leader in the medium van sector and deserves this win. It has a reputation for offering outstanding build quality that translates into durability and less downtime. This van commands high residual values that competitors can't match." Winner: Ford Transit Runners up: Iveco Daily and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter This was an incredibly close-fought category. While our panel opted for the Mercedes Sprinter, the strength of public support via online voting meant it was the Ford Transit that emerged victorious. This van has earned its reputation as the 'backbone of Britain'. It's a market leader, a trusted brand and it offers the widest range to end users. The seventh generation, the most common in the used market, has been in production since 2006, but will be replaced next year. Judges' comment: "Affordable, cheap to run, strong network, Transit ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of companies from SMEs to
multinationals.
"It might be showing its age now, but when the overall package Ford offers in respect to both the T350's capabilities and the dealer back-up it provides are taken into account, it still takes some beating." Winner: Daf LF45 Runners up: Isuzu N75 Forward and Iveco Eurocargo Both the panel and the public selected the Daf LF45. It's the UK's best-selling 7.5-tonner, and the truck has one of the industry's best dealer networks to support it. Quality second-hand versions can be bought from a wide range of vendors, including franchise dealers, the independents and auctions. Consistency has cemented the truck's reputation. The last generation of the LF45 (revamped in 2008 and about to
be replaced now), boasts a 4.5-litre Euro-5 engine with EEV emission levels and two main power ratings; 140hp and 160hp. Judges' comment: "A truck as strong as this takes some beating, and although there are strong contenders, it's impossible to look beyond the LF45. Often the truck takes second place to the strength of Daf's dealer network, but in this case it goes hand-in-hand." Winner: Mercedes-Benz Axor Runners up: Scania P-series and Daf CF65
The Axor emerged as a clear winner, with both the panel and the public giving it a resounding thumbs-up. As a truck it ticks all the right boxes. Operators love its reliability, Mercedes' strong dealer network, the truck's burgeoning residual values, competitively priced basket of parts, durability and respectable fuel efficiency. UK operators looking for a second-hand 18-tonner might have to pay a few pounds more for it but, as the panel pointed out, you get what you pay for. The Axor represents value for money. Judges' comment: "The journey made by Axor is little short of remarkable. Initially designed for the UK it has become a global
phenomenon with exports greedily picking off anything the domestic market doesn't buy. Practical and popular." Winner: Scania P-series Runners up: Daf CF85 and Volvo FM
The panel squabbled over this category, eventually electing the Daf CF85 as its preferred option ahead of both Scandinavian entries. However, the voting public went overwhelmingly for the Scania P-series, and so the Swedes get the nod. On the face of it, Scania's P-series isn't the cheapest or
lightest construction chassis on the market, but that is outweighed by its premium-brand reputation and subsequently strong residual values. It's all backed up by an impressive dealer network, driver appeal, and decent whole life costs; all more than appreciated by major operators and owner-drivers alike.
Judges' comment: "It says a lot when reputation trumps both price and kerbweight. Always draws a crowd when a for sale' sign is in the window and always makes its money." Winner: Scania R-series Runners up: Daf XF105 and Mercedes-Benz Actros
It's a clean sweep for Scania for the two top-weight categories. Our panel wanted to give this one to the Mercedes Actros, but you
had other ideas, voting overwhelmingly in favour of the R-series. The R-series enjoys a strong following, which is reflected in its residual values. It has a leading network and the smart revamp in
2009 helped seal its reputation.
Although the panel went for the Germans, they were unanimous in praising the R-Series, and unequivocal about its reputation and "fantastic residual value". Judges' comment: "R-series is a desirable and reliable truck with strong residual values, which follow on from an appreciation in the marketplace that you will always have to pay for quality."