Despite this best efforts of Mercedes-Benz competitors, the Sprinter remains the most popular large van with most drivers and van operators in the UK and in many European countries.

Hire companies — especially those which serve demanding business customers — buy Sprinters by the hundred, as do courier firms and other companies that need their vans to be able to shrug off tough use, day-in, day-out.

One example is Lodge Tyres, which operates a fleet of 90 vans across the Midlands, providing a 24-hour mobile tyre replacement service for many of the region’s largest haulage operators. Lodge recently purchased an additional six medium-wheelbase 313CDI BlueEfficiency Sprinters, and is currently awaiting an order for a further six.

The firm’s fleet is dominated by Sprinters, and the vans stay on the fleet for five years, by which time they have done around 250,000 miles, including a fair amount of off-road site work. Martyn Lodge, who is the financial director of the family firm, says that the firm’s decision to stay loyal to Sprinters was simple:

“When we stand down our vans after a five-year life they’ve often covered 250,000 miles or more but invariably they’re still running well, and because of that they still command a strong resale value. Operating costs over that sort of lifespan are extremely competitive, largely because they just don’t break down.”

“The Sprinters are also very well-liked by our drivers, not only for their comfortable cabs but also because they’re the safest vans on the road.”

Although Sprinters aren’t the cheapest vans to buy upfront, their strong residual values, high build quality and unique driver and operator appeal mean that they are likely to cause less stress and have lower ownership costs than some cheaper alternative, especially in demanding operations.

One of EEG’s 5-tonne Mercedes Sprinter drain maintenance vans

Drain maintenance specialist EEG is used to dealing with unpleasant waste below the ground — but when the company’s crews are on the road, they demand the best. EEG Fleet Manager Douglas Stewart explains why the company has just purchased a new fleet of 17 customised 5-tonne Sprinter 513 CDI vans:

“These vehicles represent a new venture for us. But we already run around 50 Sprinter vans with CCTV equipment, which we use to inspect drains.

“We’ve been relying on Sprinters since 2002 and although they rack up some very high mileages, only very rarely does one suffer a problem. You can’t buy that sort of reliability anywhere other than Mercedes-Benz.”

Each of EEG’s new Sprinters is fitted with bespoke body with water tank, jetting and suction equipment by Dutch specialist Rioned. Each van is a miniature version of the company’s fleet of 300 26- and 32-tonne trucks, which provide drain maintenance services for larger properties, but are too small to serve the company’s domestic customers.

Glasgow-based EEG is one of the UK’s largest providers of drainage and sewer cleaning, inspection and repair services, providing nationwide reactive and emergency maintenance and repair coverage. Operating from 23 main and satellite sites, it offers multi-utility solutions to clients ranging from local authorities and utility companies to industrial and corporate businesses.

The 5.0-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is available as a chassis cab, on which a wide variety of bodes can be fitted, or as a panel van. EEG’s latest vans are powered by fuel-efficient 129hp engines which are cleaner, more powerful and more economical than the equivalent model from the previous Sprinter range.