Alternatives

Ownership cost

Our recommendations

What is it like?

Reliability

Estate

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

CITROEN

BERLINGO MULTISPACE

Get past the van-like looks and you'll find a capable people carrier that will keep your motoring costs down.

Used Citroën Berlingo Multispace 2002 - 2008

Here's where the Berlingo earns its stripes, as it's frugal and cheap to maintain.

Both the 1.6-litre diesels give an official average of 47.9mpg; much better than the petrol models, which manage around 37mpg. The diesels also emit much less C02, making them cheaper to tax.

Insurance shouldn't be a worry, with the highest rating for the most powerful diesel being group 6. Servicing costs are roughly the same as its rivals'.

Resale values are fairly static, with the diesels worth not that much more than the petrols. Your choice of colour might make a difference, though, because some of the pastel paint colours widely available don't appeal to many buyers. Silver, metallic grey and more subdued colours are a better bet - unless the car is priced accordingly.

Get past the van-like looks and you'll find a capable people carrier that will keep your motoring costs down.

Of the four engines available, the two petrols are acceptable, but need to be pushed fairly hard. The 75bhp 1.4-litre is not as slow as you might think, but the 110bhp 1.6 is much more fun.

The diesel engine options have changed over the car's lifetime. Originally there was a 71bhp 1.9-litre and a 90bhp 2.0, which were available until 2005. These were replaced with two 1.6-litre engines: a 75bhp and a 92bhp unit. These are a much better bet because they give better fuel economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions. The 75bhp isn't turbocharged, making it a little sluggish, while the 92bhp engine is refined and smooth.

All models come with power steering, electric front windows and electric door mirrors, but expect the bare minimum on the base Forte. The Desire adds a CD player and a few trinkets. The standard specification was improved from 2005, but things such as air-con and alloys were never included in the price, so look for cars with them included.

Models before 2006 came with only one airbag as standard, but from this date on curtain airbags were added as standard. ISOFIX child seat fixings were standard throughout, though.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.

Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.

But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.

Some drivers find the driving position uncomfortable, with the seats overly soft and failing to give sufficient leg support. The position of the steering wheel might also feel awkward - so make sure you take a thorough test drive before buying.

The car's electrics cause roughly a third of faults, with everything from the dashboard to foglights failing. In some cases, the engine can also stop, and garages struggle to find the cause.

The roof-mounted aerial can allow water to leak into the cabin, while the passenger door seal has been known to let water into the footwell. Check for damp patches and a musty smell.

Plastic wheelarch linings can work loose after driving through deep puddles. Eventually it starts to rub against the tyre and will then to be removed and replaced. Owners have also complained of cabin trim falling off or breaking.

If you want maximum practicality and versatility for your money, the Berlingo takes some beating.

The Berlingo might be based on a van, but it makes a great people carrier as a result. It's surprisingly good to drive, though, and it rides bumps fairly well, too. The Citroen's height does mean that it leans round bends a little, but it still has an enjoyable ride. The steering is light and there's good all-round visibility. It's also reasonably refined, although the diesels start to clatter and wind noise becomes noticeable as speed increases.

However, you don't buy this kind of car because of the way it drives. The Berlingo seats five adults with ease, along with a large boot. Headroom is good, and there are plenty of cubbyholes and pockets to stash bits and bobs. Options include overhead storage compartments, or a full-length electric sunroof.

Used Citroën Berlingo Multispace 2002 - 2008 reliability

Complete the 2024 What Car? Reliability survey >>

https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90474827/16ebb403e3a6&rdt=2

Vauxhall Mokka – Save £4766

Peugeot 3008 – Save £6062

BMW 3 Series – Save £2830

Audi A4 – Save £4753

LATEST DEALS:

site ribbon config

Used Citroën Berlingo Multispace 2002 - 2008 review

Some drivers find the driving position uncomfortable, with the seats overly soft and failing to give sufficient leg support. The position of the steering wheel might also feel awkward - so make sure you take a thorough test drive before buying.,The car's electrics cause roughly a third of faults, with everything from the dashboard to foglights failing. In some cases, the engine can also stop, and garages struggle to find the cause.,The roof-mounted aerial can allow water to leak into the cabin, while the passenger door seal has been known to let water into the footwell. Check for damp patches and a musty smell.Plastic wheelarch linings can work loose after driving through deep puddles. Eventually it starts to rub against the tyre and will then to be removed and replaced. Owners have also complained of cabin trim falling off or breaking.

What to look for when buying a Citroën Berlingo Multispace 2002 - 2008, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

LATEST DEALS:

Used Citroën Berlingo Multispace 2002 - 2008 reliability

What should I look for in a used Citroën Berlingo Multispace estate?

What are the most common problems with a used Citroën Berlingo Multispace estate?

Is a used Citroën Berlingo Multispace estate reliable?

What Car? has a buying service

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information