I love sitting in Trafic thanks to Renault

OI Oi savaloy! You grafters have never had it so good.

All-new versions of the Ford Transit, Vauxhall Vivaro and Renault Trafic have just hit our roads.

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All-new.... Renault Trafic

And van sales are rising faster than a scaffolder's erection — up 18.1 per cent to 242,071 to the end of September.

We asked kitchen fitter Julian Rudd, 45, from Sheffield, to measure the Trafic Sport against his 07-reg Vivaro Sportive. Or that was the plan ...

First impressions?

I'm actually looking for a new van. Mine was stolen while I was on holiday and the police haven't found it.

But I'm impressed with this Renault — really pretty. Colour-coded bumper, door mirrors, 17in alloys and the sister of the new Vivaro. It's right up there.

How does it drive?

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Quick... It's a smooth ride and nippy too

Nice and smooth, six-speed and it turns on a button.

Sheffield is built on seven hills. If you're not going down one, you're going up one, so hill-start assist is brilliant at junctions. But it needs more power. This is the 1.6-litre 120bhp twin turbo diesel. I'm used to a 2-litre, and this has a bit of lag between 1,500 and 2,000 revs. It's fine on a flat run but in hilly areas it's a bit gutless. Let me try the 140bhp.

Stop&Start is good and there's an Eco button on the dash to save a bit on fuel driving around town. There's a speed limiter, cruise control and I like the cornering lights.

What's it like inside?

Very relaxing, feels more like a car or an MPV. Nice driving position and the armrests are really comfortable. That's a major plus for tradesmen. We're like cabbies. We're always in a van. The dash is new and I like the 7in touchscreen with satnav, digital speedo and fold-down desk with clipboard and laptop tray. There's plenty of storage for your phone, money, fags, decent glovebox, USB, 12v socket and a wide view mirror in the passenger sun visor.

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Self-storage... Renault have kitted the Trafic out

I'm a bit disappointed with the drink holder. It's up out of the way on the dashboard and you can't get some drinks in it. But overall I'm very impressed.

Keyless entry, self-locking when you set off and it's well insulated from wind and road noise. I'll need a security alarm though (£230 option).

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And in the back?

This van was fitted with Renault's own storage racks (Ready4Work, £1,200 option) and they look very professional. There's a flap in the bulkhead for carrying pipes up to 3.75 metres under the passenger bench, like in the new Vivaro. Decent. Load space is good at 5.2 square metres (three Euro pallets) on the short wheelbase and there's 16 anchor points.

VERDICT: Reet nice. Solid van. Comfy and quiet. It just needs more oomph for Sheffield.

USED VAN PRICES ROCKET

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In demand... We're paying more for vans now than four years ago

BRITS are paying £1,675 MORE for a second-hand van than in 2010. The 35 per cent jump, shown in the graphic above, was revealed by CAP Automotive's Tim Cattlin. He said: "New van sales collapsed in the recession, which led to a 'black hole' in used vehicle supply- just as economic recovery boosted demand. Prices will be lower next year as used van supply grows again."

VOLKSWAGEN will offer zero per cent finance and two free services on used vans from tomorrow. The ten-day offer runs across all 70 VW van centres until November 2. Three to six year old vans, under 100,000 miles, have a six-month warranty and roadside assistance, trade-in and seven-day right of exchange. Vans under three years old have 12-month warranty and roadside assistance, trade-in and 30-day right of exchange.