Mercedes Vito or Ford Transit Custom: which van suits you?
The Vito wins on payload and ride comfort; the Transit Custom on usable load space and parts cost. We compare the two units we currently have available.
Short answer#
Choose the Mercedes Vito if you need maximum payload and cover long road distances; choose the Ford Transit Custom if you prioritise usable load space and cheaper maintenance. Both are 2.8 t three-seat panel vans, but they are built for different jobs.
Head to head#
| Mercedes-Benz Vito 111 CDI | Ford Transit Custom 2.0 TDCi | |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2017 | 2023 |
| Mileage | 157,390 km | 87,783 km |
| Power | 114 hp (84 kW) | 105 hp (77 kW) |
| Emissions | Euro 6 | Euro 6d |
| Payload | 1,044 kg | 816 kg |
| Gross vehicle weight | 2,800 kg | 2,800 kg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Price | €15,500 | €17,000 |
Which one carries more?#
The Vito, clearly: 1,044 kg against 816 kg. That is 228 kg of headroom, which in trades like plumbing, light construction or heavy material delivery is the difference between running legal and running overloaded. If your load is bulky but light (parcels, furniture, landscaping), the gap matters far less.
Which is cheaper to maintain?#
The Ford, normally. Spare parts and labour in the Ford network tend to be cheaper than at Mercedes, and the Transit Custom is the best-selling van in its European segment, which keeps parts affordable. The Vito compensates with very robust rear-wheel-drive mechanics and better motorway ride comfort.
Which ages better?#
The Vito here has 157,390 km with its last recorded service in 08/2024 at 132,381 km; rear-wheel drive and the 1.6 CDI are known for coping well with commercial mileage. The Transit Custom is six years newer, with 87,783 km and Euro 6d, giving it more headroom against future low-emission-zone restrictions in Spanish cities.
Which one for my trade?#
- Heavy loads, long routes: Vito.
- Volume and intensive urban use: Transit Custom.
- Remaining service life and low-emission zones: Transit Custom (Euro 6d, 2023).
- Tighter budget with more payload: Vito.
Both come with a 1-year warranty#
Both units are available now, imported from Germany, on Spanish plates, with a freshly passed ITV and a 1-year warranty included in the price. You can see every photo and the full technical data for each in the vehicles section.