Ford locked out the top positions in the FN50 van reliability survey for both model and manufacturer for the second consecutive year.

The survey asks FN50 companies to rank their best-performing vehicles for reliability based on breakdowns and warranty claims.

In a table that witnessed very few changes from last year, the Transit has retained its place as most reliable van, while Ford also continued as the most reliable van manufacturer on FN50 fleets.

In a year where the Transit range is undergoing significant changes, it demonstrates part of the current model’s appeal that has helped it become the UK’s best-selling van.

Although Ford’s smaller van, the Transit Connect, took second place last year, in 2013 it is demoted to third by the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which has been rankeda place higher than in 2012.

The Volkswagen Transporter has held fourth place for a second consecutive year, while the Volkswagen Caddy keeps its fifth position in the table in 2013.

Ford will also need to ensure the revised Transit range, which began with the introduction of the Transit Custom earlier this year, continues with the recently-introduced Transit Connect, and will be completed when the two-tonne Transit and compact Transit Courier arrive in the coming months, is reliable from day one if it hopes to repeat its success in the survey in 2014.

Phil Hollins, Ford UK fleet director, said: “Ford is very proud to retain the top spots of most reliable van and overall most reliable van manufacturer in the FN50 survey.

“The results are testament to the hard work of our design and engineering teams based at Dunton in the UK, who continue to deliver class-leading products of the upmost quality.”

Top 10 most reliable vans

1                  (1)                   Ford Transit

2                  (3)                   Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

3                  (2)                   Ford Transit Connect

4                  (4)                   Volkswagen Transporter

5                  (5)                   Volkswagen Caddy

6                  (6)                   Mercedes-Benz Vito

7                  (7)                   Vauxhall Vivaro

8                  (8)                   Renault Trafic

9                  (9)                   Vauxhall Movano

10               (-)                    Renault Master

Top 10 most reliable van manufacturers

1                  (1)                   Ford

2                  (3)                   Volkswagen

3                  (2)                   Mercedes-Benz

4                  (4)                   Vauxhall

5                  (6)                   Renault

6                  (8)                   Peugeot

7                  (7)                   Nissan

8                  (5)                   Citroën

9                  (9)                   Fiat

10                 (-)                  Mitsubishi