What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

Buying and running

The Boxer is covered by a three-year/100,000-mile warranty with no mileage limit in the first two years, while service intervals are a long two years/32,000 miles. Peugeot recognises that some vans lead tougher lives than others, however, so the interval is cut to one-year/12,500 miles for more arduous applications.

In passing, it is interesting to note that the air and fuel filters should only need swapping every four years/32,000 miles, falling to two years/25,000 miles if the vehicle is on particularly demanding work.

Roadside assistance is provided free for the first 12 months of ownership. Bear in mind, though, that it does not provide cover for non-vehicle warranty-related problems such as running out of fuel, putting petrol in the tank instead of diesel, losing the van’s keys or getting a puncture.

At least our Boxer was provided with a spare wheel rather than one of those wretched tyre inflator/sealers, which are next to useless if you get a big gash in a tyre sidewall because you’ve been obliged to drive across rough ground.

The side rubbing strips helped protect our demonstrator’s optional metallic paint.

While running a Boxer may not attract quite the kudos of running a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, there is no denying that it enjoys some distinct advantages in its latest incarnation. Peugeot seems to have managed to give what we had viewed as a somewhat dated also-ran a new lease of life, and in Professional trim it’s a more than sensible bet.

Peugeot Boxer Professional L2H2 335 BlueHDi 130

Price (ex VAT)    £28,335
Price range (ex VAT)    £22,335-£31,795
Gross payload     1,575kg
Load length     3,120mm
Load width (min/max)     1,422/1,870mm
Load bay height     1,932mm
Load volume     11.5m³
Loading height     565mm
Rear door aperture    1,562x1,790mm
Side door aperture    1,250x1,755mm
Gross vehicle weight    3,500kg
Braked trailer towing weight     2,500kg
Residual value    18.3% *
Cost per mile     54.3p
Engine size/power     1,997cc, 131hp @ 3,750rpm
Torque    350Nm @ 1,750rpm
Gearbox    6-spd
Fuel economy    45.6mpg (combined)
Fuel tank    90 litres
CO2    163g/km
Warranty    3yrs/100,000mls
Service intervals      2yrs/32,000mls
Insurance group     38E
Price as tested    £30,245
* after 4yrs/80,000mls
 Source: KwikCarcost