Used Citroën C8 2002 - 2010 review

Families love the C8: there's plenty of space for seven, although you can also find a few six- and eight-seaters. Remove all but the front pair and you've an arena-like 2948 litres of space.

You also get stacks of thoughtful features that make a real difference in daily use. For example, the sliding rear doors (often electrically operated) make supermarket car parks a doddle, because you don't have to worry about the kids clonking the neighbouring car.

The HDI diesel engines are great, economical (for the car's size), refined and punchy. The 2.0-litre petrol is decent enough on a cruise but isn't really strong enough for hauling heavy loads.

All handle well by large MPV standards - no one will feel seasick on back roads - and the ride is smooth, if a bit firm around town.

Most drivers should be comfortable in the high-up driving position and the controls are well placed, but the centrally mounted instruments aren't to all tastes.

The electrically operated sliding rear doors have been known to give trouble and there have been a couple of recalls to check for potential problems. It's unlikely that the C8 you're looking at will have iffy rear doors, but it's still worth checking. The problem is nearly always electrical.

Premature or uneven tyre wear afflicts some models, so inspect the tyres carefully. Be especially vigilant if the C8 has 15-inch wheels, since these seem more prone to scrubbing off the rubber.

Some 15-inch models have been swapped on to 16-inch wheels and lower-profile tyres under Citroen's three-year/60,000-mile warranty, and that seems to sort the problem.

The instrument panel can go haywire on a few cars and there have been isolated reports of faults with the automatic windscreen wipers.

There are few other known problems, but keep an eye out for missed services, trashed interiors (it doesn't take much) and parking scrapes.

The C8 is sold new for huge discounts below what is only a vaguely notional list price, so nearly new ones should be conspicuously cheap. However, be careful not to stump up too much for a one-year-old C8 or you'll pay the price in depreciation when you resell it.

Other than that, you should be able to pick up a used C8, run it and then sell it inexpensively.

Insurance starts at a reasonable group 10 for the entry-level 2.0-litre cars (petrol and diesel) and tops out at an easily stomached group 12 for the 2.2 HDI Exclusive and Exclusive CC.

Our favoured 2.2 HDi SX is in group 11 and, better still, should return just under 40mpg with sensible driving. The 2.0 HDI will just nudge over 40mpg, while even the 2.0 petrol should be good for an average of about 30mpg.

Servicing costs are on a par with most other mainstream large MPVs and won't hurt too much.

Simple - go for a diesel. The petrol 2.0 is cheaper, but it doesn't have the pulling power of the diesels and drinks fuel quicker - likewise the 2.2 petrol.

There are two excellent turbodiesels - a 110bhp 2.0 and a 130bhp 2.2. We prefer the 2.2 for its extra 24lb ft of muscle, and there's only a minimal penalty in fuel consumption. However, it will cost more, so the 2.0 HDI is a good second-best.

Most have seven seats (although some plusher models have six) and the electric sliding rear doors that are preferable if you have kids.

All models are stuffed with safety kit, and entry-level LX trim comes with climate control, power steering, electric front windows, remote locking and a CD player. However, we'd go for SX, which adds an alarm, electric rear windows and electrically adjustable seats.

If you want still more, Exclusive is plush and Exclusive CC is plushest, with leather seats.

You should have no problem tracking a good car down. Citroen dealers, supermarkets and MPV specialists all have a good choice.