Ford Transit Custom vs Renault Trafic
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 132 903 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Transit Custom | Trafic | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 770 000 | R 635 999 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 13 458/m | R 11 116/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 82% | 77% |
| Retained after 3 years | 66% | 59% |
| Value after 3 years | R 510 148 | R 377 245 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 259 852 | R 258 754 |
| Value after 5 years | R 403 520 | R 289 835 |
| 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
Renault Trafic →
Renault's one-ton panel van takes on the VW Transporter at a lower price, currently sold as a 2.0 dCi from around R636,000. Fleet buyers rate the payload, cab comfort and fuel economy. Resale is softer than the VW's, which makes used examples good value for small operators.
Known for: car-like one-ton panel van
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Ford Transit Custom or the Renault Trafic?
The Ford Transit Custom. It keeps about 66% of its price after three years against 59% for the Renault Trafic, 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 Renault Trafic loses about R 258 754. 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 Renault Trafic about R 11 116, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.