Used Car Hunter: roomy family MPVs for £8,000
Our Car Hunter has £8,000 to spend on a roomy MPV which is fit for family duties
Dear Auto Express, I’ve got £8,000 to spend and am looking at an older people carrier-type car for family transport. What’s the best option? – Will Donaldson via E-mail
The start of the last decade was arguably ‘peak people carrier’ as the rush to SUVs was gathering pace, so there’s lots in the way of choice for used MPV and people carriers for car buyers on tighter budgets. That said, £8,000 for a used car these days isn’t as much as you’d think, as used cars still carry a hefty premium making prices look steeper than many are used to paying.
We’ve selected a trio of models that offer different takes on the people-carrier theme, but there are a wide range of other options all worth looking at, including the Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford C-MAX and Vauxhall Zafira, which should all be available in model years up to 2013 or so with a low-ish mileage (which these days means sub-85k) and comfortably within your budget.
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When buying a used MPV, as with any car, we recommend choosing something based on its condition, service history and overall condition, rather than holding out for a specific model.
You don’t need to shy away from higher-mileage used cars either, because if they’ve been looked after properly, then chances are many of the larger service jobs will have already been completed. Just look out for evidence that the car has been looked after over the course of its life.
Here's our expert pick of three family MPVs available for a budget of £8,000, together with links to buy them through our Find a Car service…
Citroen Berlingo - the utilitarian choice
- For: Superbly roomy and versatile, cheap to run
- Against: Less refined, due to functional design
The Citroen Berlingo Multispace’s combination of up to 3,000 litres of load space (seats folded), frugal diesel engines and a relatively low purchase price made it a winning option when new. Its refinement isn’t brilliant, but the Berlingo is comfortable transport, thanks to compliant suspension and high-profile tyres, and families can enjoy the car without complaint.
Used examples are in demand, so you may have to accept paying a little more than you’d like. A 2015 1.6 diesel with under 50,000 miles comes in under the £8,000 budget, with higher-mileage examples being significantly less.
In spite of its looks, this second-generation Berlingo Multispace was not built on a van platform like its predecessor, and instead shared its chassis from then-parent group PSA with the Citroen C4 hatch.
You can get a 1.6 VTi petrol, but we’d recommend a 1.6-litre diesel, which offers more grunt and miles to the gallon. Manual gearboxes are much nicer to drive than the (rare) automatic, and although this is not a luxurious model, even entry-level editions come with remote locking and electric front windows and mirrors.
See our used Citroen Berlingo deals
Mercedes B-Class - the premium choice
- For: Superior engineering, build quality and refinement
- Against: Five seats only, inert steering/handling
The first-gen Mercedes B-Class featured the same unusual ‘sandwich’ construction as its smaller A-Class sister, which meant it offered great cabin space in a compact vehicle.
The B-Class was always a bit too pricey when new, but at around 15 years old or more, the Mercedes premium pays off, with well cared-for examples barely showing their miles, thanks to excellent build quality and materials.
It’s not an exciting car to drive, but it’s comfortable and refined. This budget will get you behind the wheel of a 2013 B180 diesel with around 90k miles on the clock.
Some people think the highly practical B-Class was a car ahead of its time, while others are put off by its tall, angular looks. If you’re not turned away by the styling, there’s lots to like about this often-overlooked Mercedes, including a super-spacious interior for five, a large boot and extremely good build quality. It’s a great car for kids too, thanks to the expansive glass area and clear views out. The 2.0-litre diesel engine in B180 or B200 guise is well matched to a smooth CVT auto gearbox, and although it’s not a sporty drive, it’s a very refined and comfortable cruiser.
See our used Mercedes B-Class deals
Renault Grand Scenic - middle-of-the-road choice
- For: Five or seven seats, cheap to run, cheaper prices
- Against: Stodgy handling, interiors not that robust
The Renault Grand Scenic and its smaller sibling, the Renault Scenic, are seven- and five-seater versions of basically the same car, which was the archetypal compact French people carrier of the period.
Offering great value and practicality, and similar refinement and driving manners to the family hatchbacks drivers had previously been accustomed to, the Scenic works best with efficient diesel power. Boot space in the Grand Scenic isn’t great with all seats up, so unless you need the extra chairs, a regular Scenic should do. About £8,000 will net you a 2015 1.5 dCi Dynamique Nav model with 75,000 miles.
When they were new cars, Renault’s Scenic and Grand Scenic models were most often equipped with diesel engines, still encouraged at the time, and the 1.5 dCi diesel with 109bhp could return comfortably over 50mpg. There’s a later 1.6-litre model, which is even more efficient, but will be outside the budget. You could look at the 1.6 VVTi petrol, though, for perkier performance and lower fuel bills if you don’t do too many miles. Dynamique TomTom spec is the one to go for if you’re looking at a Scenic from this period, thanks to its high standard specification, which includes cruise control, automatic wipers and lights, plus Bluetooth and the eponymous sat-nav system.
See our used Renault Grand Scenic deals
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