Test drive: Duetto clutch issue?

So, just went to see another van yesterday in my search to buy. This was a 2005 Duetto and it was in good condition, however when the salesman went to drive it, as he eased off the clutch to move away, the van lurched forwards, bunny hopped and stalled. I assumed he'd just turned the ignition when in gear, but when it was my turn to test drive it, the same happened, almost like the clutch had stuck and suddenly released (excuse my lack of any technical knowledge here!!!). It was fine once actually up and running and had loads of exceleration, but as soon as I stopped at a roundabout and had to start in 1st gear, the same happened again. I've sort of got my heart set on a Duetto but on googling the issue last night on Ford Transit forums, it seems that this is a common problem. Does anyone else have this on their Duetto? I'm not sure if this was particularly bad and specific to the van I drove or the same issue discussed on the forums. It definitely put me off buying that one.

So far from reading the forums it sounds like I should avoid Symbols with the X250 base (2007 onwards?) and that Transits have this issue with 1st gear? I'm feeling a bit baffled now on which years/models are best

Some early X250 Peugeot/Fiat vans had reverse gear judder, not all vans had this problem, I'm on my third Peugeot van, no reverse gear judder at all, however I have had to replace 3 EGR valves. At a cost of £450 on my last two vans.
In general the Peugeot is a good van to drive, however the Transit and Merc vans seem to get better reviews on the forums.
The last time I checked the AA and RAC do vehicle inspections on most vehicles, including motorhomes.
Boaby

Thanks. I will definitely get AA/RAC inspection, given that I know nothing about vans. It just seemed like this issue in 1st gear couldn't be 'normal' even for a commercial van, although of course the salesman said it was!

It's quite easy to misjudge the clutch position driving a car/van that you don't know well. Most people adjust quickly, so it probably won't be an issue long term.

I don't know the more recent Transits at all well, but other similar vans have a clutch switch which (among other things) makes it easier to avoid stalling from a standing start - if it has one and it has failed then you may get the symptoms you see - should be a cheap part to replace if so.

Thanks Mojo. If it were just me stalling it I would have assumed it to be driver inexperience but the salesman should have been used to it (?). Anyway the switch thing is interesting. I'll read up a bit more!

The clutch switch is certainly a known, if uncommon, fault on VW T5s, but whether it even exists on a Transit of that age I don't know!

There no electronics on a 2005 Transit. It should be a smooth drive though without any of the issues described above.

I imagine there is not much wrong with the van.  We had a 2005 Duetto from new for over 7 years and the clutch never got much better, just we got better driving it.

Did the same as you when collecting it - the parting words though the window from the dealer was 'watch the clutch, its a bit sharp' as my other half started the engine.  As you have guessed by now, we lurched forward and stalled at least twice while he fell about laughing.  

It had about 1mm of travel between on and off, a bit like a 70s Escort Mexico but more stiff. The van did over 70k like that in the time we had it with no problems at all, as I said above you get used to it.

Hi Campievanner! Good information, thanks. I would still rather have a Duetto than a Symbol as The Symbol has the handbrake on the right hand side which felt so unnatural (especially as a left handed person) so I'll give the Duetto another go then. Hope I'll get used to it :)

Glad I can help :-)

One thing that is important, is a full service history showing oil changes every year, the 2.4 engine doesn't like to be neglected. Bonus point though, it does not have a cam belt to change. (has a chain)

Ours did just over 30mpg which isn't bad considering the gearing, 2500 rpm was an indicated 62mph.

It also went quite briskly indeed if required.

Hi Rum truffle
If your still contemplating a vehicle inspection? ,the Caravan club have e-mailed its members announcing a new inspection service with the Mobile caravan engineers association MCEA.
Hope your vehicle search goes well.
Boaby

Thanks! I am now wondering if I should have bought the Duetto as Campievanner has reassured me that it is probably normal. Would prefer to see another for comparison first though. Will definitely chec out the inspection service - do they do both the vehicle and pre habitation checks? I wasn't sure if you just trust the dealer's own habitation check?

Regarding dealerships own hab checks, check out recent reviews from forum members, however most dealerships give a good service.
The new Caravan club MCEA offer three levels of inspection , I think the RAC /AA offer the same.
Boaby

Find another similar Transit and road test it

Hi
   I had a 54 plate Transit no clutch problems at all,they do not have any sort clutch switch.Try other Transits of the same year and see how you get on they are really easy to drive,the Duetto you tried may have a clutch problem
                       Kind regards
                                    Alan

Right that's that sorted then. Find another one ... Buy it!

Fullers leisure ,Nottinghamshire has a 2005 reg automatic Duetto on their stocklist , diesel heating .
Solve the manual 1st gear problem ??
Boaby

I'm off to bed

Not being a killjoy here, but if considering the 'automatic' Transit of that era, please be careful. 

There are many people who have had no issue at all with them, providing years of untroubled service, but on the other hand there are many vehicles with recurring problems.

The best reason for buying a Transit is its mechanical ruggedness and ease of repair, however this doesn't apply to the asm gearbox in the mk6.

Ok good to know. I think I'll just test drive as many Duettos as I can find til I find one I love :)