The fuel tank on a Transporter is a large, flat surface hanging low under the floor — exactly where stones, stumps and frozen ruts arrive once you leave the tarmac. Plastic handles corrosion well but not point impacts, and a punctured tank is not the kind of fault you shrug off and drive home with.

4.0 mm aluminium. Rival specifies pressed 4.0 mm aluminium sheet in silver here. Aluminium does not rust from road salt, and at this thickness the plate spreads an impact across its whole surface instead of passing it straight into the tank. It is the lighter and less expensive alternative to the 6 mm version — a sensible pick if your driving is mostly gravel and farm tracks rather than rock.

Installation. A complete fitting kit is supplied and the plate uses the factory mounting points under the body.

Fitment. Per the manufacturer's description: VW Caravelle, Multivan and Transporter with the 2.0 TDI engine, model years 2010-2015 and 2015-2019.

• Fuel tank skid plate in 4.0 mm aluminium, silver finish
• Fitting kit included, factory mounting points
• VW Caravelle / Multivan / Transporter 2.0 TDI, 2010-2015 and 2015-2019

If you are planning longer trips off sealed roads, the tank plate is usually the second thing to add after the engine plate.