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top-10-used-mpvs

It may well&nbsp;have been comprehensively trounced in the sales charts and in people's affections by that young upstart the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-family-suvs-2022/n17116">SUV</a>, but the good old MPV is still well worth a punt&nbsp;on the used market.&nbsp;

After all, if you're looking for a car at a reasonable price that can easily carry up to seven people&nbsp;and leave space for&nbsp;their luggage a used MPV is still a force to be reckoned with. Some are much better to drive than you'd expect, too, and some even look more stylish than you might think a car of such practicality should.&nbsp;

So, which one to choose?&nbsp;Fortunately, there are plenty of options for varying budgets. Here’s our round-up of the very best you can buy.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Top 10 used MPVs

Estate

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

2 SERIES

The 2 Series Active Tourer is based on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/hatchback/hatchback/used-review/n906">Mini's</a>&nbsp;front-wheel-drive mechanicals, which means it's better to drive than some of its contemporaries. It's the five-seat version that offers the best value for our money compared with a used version of the bigger&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/2-series/estate/used-review/n819">seven-seat BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer</a>. It might be smaller on the outside, but&nbsp;a lot of effort has gone&nbsp;into making the most&nbsp;of the available space inside.&nbsp;Reliability is good, though watch out for some electrical issues.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;BMW 2 Series&nbsp;Active Tourer 1.5 218i Sport&nbsp;Nav, 32,000&nbsp;miles, £14,995

Shop for a used one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/bmw/2-series?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

10: BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Plenty of rear seat space</li>
	<li>High-quality interior</li>
	<li>Good balance of ride &amp; handling</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>There are more versatile five-seat MPV’s</li>
	<li>218d engine feels a bit flat at low revs</li>
	<li>Expensive&amp;comma; especially top-end models</li>
</ul>

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

ALHAMBRA

The Seat Alhambra is great to drive and&nbsp;comes with sliding rear doors –&nbsp;a boon in tight parking spaces because you shouldn't be able to clonk the car next to you when getting out. It also leaves&nbsp;a wide aperture that&nbsp;helps when strapping small children into the middle row. It’s a large car, of course, but it comes with a range of punchy engines that are more than up to the job of hauling it around. It rides and handles well, too, and is reasonably refined and efficient.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Seat Alhambra&nbsp;2.0 TDI Ecomotive SE, 50,000&nbsp;miles, £16,995

Shop for a used one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/seat/alhambra?postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;used=true">here</a>

9: Seat Alhambra

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Superb space and practicality</li>
	<li>Strong engines</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Unrefined diesels</li>
	<li>Firm ride</li>
</ul>

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

SHARAN

As with the great Seat Alhambra, the Sharan is a tremendous MPV that's&nbsp;good to drive, with&nbsp;a range of strong and efficient engines. It's neatly styled, too, but it’s the huge interior and its quality that are&nbsp;the main selling points for the Sharan, and neat touches like the sliding rear doors (electrically operated on some trims) that makes getting in and out of the car in tight spaces so much easier. The two rearmost seats can happily accommodate tall adults, and there’s a reasonably sized boot even with all the seats up, and a positively huge one with the two rear rows of seats down.

We found:&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Volkswagen Sharan&nbsp;2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE, 35,000&nbsp;miles, £19,995

Shop for a used one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/sharan?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

8: Volkswagen Sharan

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Strong engines</li>
	<li>Superb space and practicality</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Unrefined diesels</li>
	<li>Inconsistent ride</li>
	<li>Expensive used</li>
</ul>

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

S-MAX

We’ve always been&nbsp;big fans of the lively&nbsp;Ford S-Max, and it isn’t hard to see why. It looks great, for a start, and underneath that sporty-looking styling sits a people carrier that’s enormously enjoyable to drive.&nbsp;And while you can’t fit quite as much into it as its sister car, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/used-review/n832">Ford Galaxy</a>, there’s still more than enough room for seven&nbsp;people. Ex-taxis are&nbsp;to be avoided and cars with automatic gearboxes need evidence of frequent fluid changes. On the whole, overall reliability can be a little mixed.

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Ford S-Max&nbsp;2.0 TDCi Titanium, 30,000&nbsp;miles, £18,000

Shop for a used one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/ford/s-max?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

&nbsp;

7: Ford S-Max

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Tidy handling</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
	<li>Standard Zetec trim well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Third row seats best for children</li>
	<li>Interior quality could be better</li>
	<li>Petrol engine thirsty</li>
</ul>

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

COMBO LIFE

It might look like a van, but the Vauxhall Combo Life drives like a car and gives you the practicality only the best people carriers deliver. You can choose from both five and seven-seat versions, and sliding rear doors make it easy to get the kids in and out in tight spaces. As a further bonus, this is one of the most comfortable MPVs around, and great value, too.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2021&nbsp;Vauxhall Combo Life 1.5 Turbo D SE, 20,000&nbsp;miles, £20,900

Shop for a used one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/vauxhall/combo-life?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance">here</a>

6: Vauxhall Combo Life

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Huge inside</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
	<li>More affordable than a lot of conventional MPVs</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Very drab interior</li>
	<li>Not as clever as it is big</li>
	<li>Looks just like a van</li>
</ul>

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

RIFTER

The Rifter is basically a Vauxhall Combo Life wearing Peugeot badges, but it feels slightly classier inside, pushing it one place higher on this list. It offers the same comfort, practicality and value while adding a touch more style to the mix.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2021 Peugeot Rifter 1.5 BlueHDi 100 Allure, 2000&nbsp;miles, £19,000

Shop for a used one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/peugeot/rifter?postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;used=true">here</a>

5: Peugeot Rifter

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Easy to drive</li>
	<li>Lots of practicality</li>
	<li>Comfy ride</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Some cheap interior trim</li>
	<li>Infotainment system is a little fiddly</li>
</ul>

GALAXY

The&nbsp;Ford Galaxy&nbsp;is, quite simply, enormous.&nbsp;It's got&nbsp;seating for seven adults and even a bit of space left over for your luggage.&nbsp;On top of that, it's&nbsp;good to drive and comfortable, too.&nbsp;Powershift automatics can be troublesome and need frequent fluid changes, so check the history for evidence of this, and avoid ex-taxis, which will have huge mileages. Find a good one, though, and this is one great all-rounder and a deeply impressive MPV.

We found:&nbsp;2018&nbsp;Ford Galaxy 2.0TDCi 150&nbsp;Zetec, 69,000&nbsp;miles, £14,995

Shop for a used one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/ford/galaxy?postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;used=true">here</a>

4: Ford Galaxy

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Practical interior</li>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
	<li>Plenty of neat options</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Automatic emergency braking isn't standard</li>
	<li>Infotainment system poor</li>
</ul>

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

Okay, it's&nbsp;the same as the Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall Combo Life underneath, but the Berlingo’s better level of standard equipment and slightly plusher feel&nbsp;make it an even better used buy. Add in its hugely spacious interior and&nbsp;a decent ride&nbsp;and you’ll find the Berlingo a relaxing place in which to cover miles. Put simply, cars don’t get much more practical than this, or as good value when bought used.

We found:&nbsp;2021 Citroen Berlingo 1.5 BlueHDi Flair, 10,000&nbsp;miles, £20,950

Shop for a used one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/citroen/berlingo?postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;used=true">here</a>

3: Citroen Berlingo

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
	<li>Flexible 1.2-litre petrol engine</li>
	<li>Hugely practical</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Fiddly infotainment</li>
	<li>Some useful storage solution weren't standard</li>
	<li>Mainstream MPV rivals are nicer to drive</li>
</ul>

TOURAN

The versatile&nbsp;VW Touran is a spacious, refined and classy all-rounder, with&nbsp;a dashboard and interior that is both elegant&nbsp;to behold and easy to use. Perhaps most important of all, though, is how brilliantly clever the Touran’s seating flexibility is. For a start, the second row is made up of three individual seats so that it is possible to carry three child seats side by side, and these chairs all slide and fold independently of one another.&nbsp;With the third row stowed away, the boot is&nbsp;huge, too.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2020&nbsp;Volkswagen Touran 1.5 TSI Evo 150&nbsp;SE, 15,000&nbsp;miles, £22,995

Shop for a used one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/touran?postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;used=true">here</a>

2: Volkswagen Touran

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Spacious interior</li>
	<li>Versatile seating</li>
	<li>Satisfying to drive</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rivals are cheaper</li>
	<li>Base model lacks kit</li>
	<li>Others beat it for economy</li>
</ul>

GRAND C4 SPACETOURER

Fancy an MPV with a little panache? The&nbsp;Citroën Grand C4 Spacetourer is&nbsp;well-equipped, stylish and&nbsp;one of the&nbsp;most comfortable MPVs around. Being the Grand version means it's blessed with versatile seating for seven, and you get a huge boot when the third row is folded into the floor.&nbsp;The engine range is strong and fuel-efficient, plus&nbsp;it rides and handles well for a car of this size.&nbsp;Refinement is good, too, making long trips with the family just that bit more bearable.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Citroën Grand C4 Spacetourer 1.2 Puretech 130 Touch, 20,000&nbsp;miles, &nbsp;£17,999

Shop for a used one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/citroen/grand-c4-spacetourer?postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;used=true">here</a>

1: Citroën Grand C4 Spacetourer

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Huge interior</li>
	<li>Excellent visibility</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Unsettled ride</li>
	<li>Touchscreen not as good as some</li>
</ul>

<hr />
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