Every guide on Vans Guru is grouped into one of the sections below. Each section page lists the guides published in it, newest first. Our guides are written for UK van owners and cover the vans most common on British roads, including the Vauxhall Vivaro, Ford Transit and Transit Custom, Renault Trafic and Kangoo, Peugeot Expert and Partner, Citroen Dispatch and Berlingo, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Volkswagen Transporter and Toyota Proace.
Diagnostics & Fault Codes
Start here when something is wrong but you do not yet know what. Structured diagnostic sequences for no-start problems, dashboard warning lights, battery and charging faults, and how to interpret fault codes properly instead of replacing the part the code happens to name.
Engine & Turbo
Turbochargers, injectors, timing belts and chains, and oil consumption. These guides concentrate on testing before replacing, because the components in this section are among the most expensive to get wrong.
Emissions & DPF
Diesel particulate filters, EGR valves and AdBlue or SCR systems. What the warnings actually mean, why regeneration fails on short-journey vans, and how to resolve emissions faults legally rather than deleting them.
Cooling & Overheating
Overheating, coolant loss, thermostats, water pumps and head gasket symptoms. Cooling faults escalate quickly, so these guides focus on working through the system in a sensible order rather than replacing parts on suspicion.
Transmission & Clutch
Clutch wear and dual mass flywheel symptoms. Because these are gearbox-out jobs, accurate diagnosis and knowing what to replace at the same time makes a substantial difference to what you pay.
Servicing, MOT & Ownership
Keeping a working van road legal and reliable, including common MOT failure points and how to pre-check them, and the mechanical checks worth making before buying a used van.
Brakes, Steering & Suspension
Brake judder, ABS warning lights, wheel bearings, springs and steering faults. Start with the symptom, and have safety-critical faults inspected before driving.
Electrical & Charging
Battery, alternator, starter motor, lighting and accessory wiring checks. Distinguish a low-voltage symptom from the component fault it can imitate.
Fuel System
Fuel filters, contamination, diesel pumps and cold-weather fuel problems. High-pressure diesel testing belongs with a trained specialist.
Body & Security
Sliding doors, locking faults, corrosion, water ingress and practical van security.
DV5 repair videos
For the repair shown on the specific 1.5 DV5 engine, see the head gasket video guide, injector removal video guide and camshaft and timing chain video guide. Confirm your engine code and workshop information before using a filmed repair as a reference.
How our guides are written
We work through faults in diagnostic order rather than listing parts to replace, we include safety warnings where a job warrants them, and we deliberately do not publish torque figures, fluid capacities or service intervals, because these vary by engine code and model year. Where that data matters, we tell you to confirm it against your VIN and manufacturer information.
Please read our Disclaimer before carrying out any work described on this site.