Ford Transit Custom vs Opel Vivaro
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Ford Transit Custom wins on money kept: 66% retained after three years vs 59%, worth about R 172 110 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Transit Custom | Vivaro | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 770 000 | R 569 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 13 458/m | R 9 961/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 82% | 77% |
| Retained after 3 years | 66% | 59% |
| Value after 3 years | R 510 148 | R 338 039 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 259 852 | R 231 861 |
| Value after 5 years | R 403 520 | R 259 712 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Weak-franchise mainstream |
Ford Transit Custom →
Panel van stalwart of courier and delivery fleets since 2013, now in its second local generation with a 2.0 turbodiesel. Car-like driving manners set it apart from older rivals. Work vans lead hard lives, so used buyers should weigh service history over mileage.
Known for: courier fleet panel van staple
Opel Vivaro →
A mid-size panel van twinned with the Zafira Life, sold for a short stint from around 2021 at R569,900. It targeted courier and shuttle fleets but never gained traction against the Transporter. Rare on the used market.
Known for: short-lived fleet-focused van
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Ford Transit Custom or the Opel Vivaro?
The Ford Transit Custom. It keeps about 66% of its price after three years against 59% for the Opel Vivaro, a gap of 7 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Ford Transit Custom loses about R 259 852 over three years and the Opel Vivaro loses about R 231 861. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Ford Transit Custom runs about R 13 458 per month and the Opel Vivaro about R 9 961, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.