Tipper Tom:
DAF are popular because they’re cheap. As my old nan used to say. Buy cheap, buy twice
i’d take a daf cf with manual box over any volvo with a manual (cable change)box any day.
Daf LF and Merc Axor/Atego are the most common around here. One firm around here happily run a T reg Atego that still looks healthy. Steer clear of the fake Volvos (ie FE/FL).