If you want an MPV but don’t want to pay MPV prices then the Citroën Berlingo could be the solution, with early models now changing hands for £3,750.

Introduced to the UK in April 1999 the Berlingo was initially available only as a three door, the front seats sliding and folding forward to give access for rear passengers. Trim levels were basic and the engine line-up was simple, a normally aspirated 1.9 litre diesel producing 71bhp and a pair of 1.4 and 1.8 litre petrol engines producing 75bhp and 90bhp respectively.

By undercutting most other MPVs by a couple of grand, Citroën hoped to appeal to buyers wanting a no-nonsense vehicle that offered plenty of space for very little money.

Externally the Berlingo does little to disguise its van origins but the large bumpers and high roofline give it a rugged look. There are even those who find a sort of inverse cool in its unpretentious boxiness.

But get inside a Berlingo and those “vanny” dimensions come into their own. The interior is cavernous — even with the rear seats in place the boot is huge, finished in hard-wearing corrugated plastic that wipes clean but is a touch slippery; put down carpet if you have a dog and don’t want to play pet pinball through bends.

With the seats in place the boot is 624 litres, nearly twice the size of a Ford Focus’s. Fold the seats down and you’ll have 2,800 litres of space, making a Volvo V70 estate’s 1,641 litres look positively puny.

But the Berlingo’s van origins do have a downside. Interior trim is basic and the fit of panels and trim isn’t on par with that of the more expensive MPVs. On the move the large interior and comparative lack of soundproofing make it quite noisy, one reason I would go for a petrol engine rather than the gruffer diesel.

Handling, however, is a pleasant surprise. Push on in the Berlingo and it hangs on gamely, with gentle understeer on the limit. On poor road surfaces the supple suspension comes into its own, soaking up ruts.

The Berlingo’s practical abilities make it a popular choice as a working car, carrying people, dogs and heavy loads, so it is important to check it over carefully. Seats and carpets are hard-wearing, if a little garish, so be fussy about tears or wear on upholstery and carpets that can be expensive to repair.

Diesel models, particularly the 90bhp 2.0HDi that joined the line up in January 2002, are popular among caravanners, so always check brakes, clutch and suspension on cars with towbars and ask the seller what weight they have been towing. On cars with the optional air-conditioning make sure it works by turning it from hot to cold and seeing how quickly it responds. Many owners don’t bother with annual servicing of the system and if it’s not working it may just need charging (¤120) or it could need a new compressor (several hundred pounds).

The Berlingo’s simple design and robust construction ensures that on the whole it is pretty tough. Buying from a Citroën franchised dealer will ensure a minimum of 12 months’ warranty and if the car is less than three years old it is usually already covered by the manufacturer’s three- year/60,000-mile warranty.

A cheap car to buy when new, the Berlingo looks even better value second-hand. If you want an unpretentious practical vehicle the Berlingo takes some beating.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model: Citroën Berlingo Multispace 1.6i Forte
Engine type: Four-cylinder, 1587cc
Power: 110bhp
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel: 38.2mpg (combined)
Acceleration: 0-62mph: 11.3sec
Top speed: 106mph

Seating: All five-door Forte models are fitted with three rear seatbelts

Air-conditioning: Not standard on any models, but a desirable option

Facelift: Post-October 2002 Berlingos have revised headlights, bumpers and dashboard with more storage space

Engine: Diesel engines are very economical but can be noisy due to poor soundproofing

Clutch: On 1.4 models the clutch has a tendency to snatch and can cause you to stall on pull-away. Check for clutch wear on cars with towbars

Sunroof: Optional sliding vinyl sunroof is enormous; check for water leaks and tears in the fabric

Storage: Modutop option provides useful extra storage in the roof lining, with extra cubbyholes throughout the car

Boot space: Huge boot space with hard-wearing plastic lining

Sliding rear doors: Introduced in June 2000 on Forte models

Spare wheel: Stored in a cradle under the rear of the car, it can be a target for theft

Interior: Trim panel fit is not the best, but seats and carpets are hard-wearing

Rear suspension: Check for wear on suspension picots

Insurance: 1.4 petrol in group 4, all other engines in group 5

Servicing: Due every 12,500 miles or once a year, whichever occurs first

Total sold in Britain: 33,000

THE ONE TO BUY

Citroën Berlingo Multispace 1.6i Forte with factory air-con. 2001 X-reg with 30,000 miles. Pay £5,125 at a dealer with 12-month warranty, or £3,750 privately.


OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY...

2001 Y-reg Renault Kangoo 1.4 RXE
2002 51-reg Peugeot Partner Combi 1.4
2000 V-reg Fiat Multipla 1.6 SX
2001 Y-reg Mitsubishi Space Star 1.6 Equippe
2002 51-reg Fiat Doblo 1.2 SX

VALUES



1.4i petrol models worth £400 less than 1.6i petrol. 1.9 diesel models worth the same as 1.6i petrol. Cars with air-conditioning worth £250 more than those without. Source: CAP black book. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car, ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer.