Bag a bargain used Berlingo for £18k

Partwatch

Dealer price Independentprice

Part

Frontbrake pads(axle set) £52-£103 £30-£75

Frontbrake discs(pair) £100-£156 £64-£125 Door mirror glass(electric) £36 £16-£20 Frontwiper set £49 £56*

Prices for a 2018 Berlingo BlueHDi 130. Dealer figures supplied by Citroen UK (citroen.co.uk). Independent prices from EuroCarParts (eurocarparts.com). *Price from wiperblades.co.uk

Recalls

CITROEN has recalled the third-generation Berlingo seven times. The first two campaigns were in April 2019, one for a faulty part in the handbrake mechanism, the other for a plastic component within the exhaust which could damage the diesel particulate filter.

Two more recalls came in November and December 2019, the first because of faulty seatbelts and the second because of faulty steering columns. A recall was issued in February 2020 because the urea injector for the AdBlue system could become blocked.

Sub-standard tie rods in the front suspension were the reason behind recall number six in July 2020, then in January 2021 came the most recent campaign, because the timing belt could break up, leading to the brake servo being damaged.

black were extra-cost options) along with unique decals and interior details. From October 2021 Rip Curl replaced Flair trim.

In January 2022, all petrol and diesel Berlingos went off sale, with only a fully electric version available. The e-Berlingo has a 134bhp electric motor and is fitted with a 50kWh battery for a claimed range of up to 177 miles. There were still M and XL editions, both available in Feel and Flair XTR trims. Which one?

THE BlueHDi makes the most sense. It’s the most readily available, the most frugal, the cheapest to buy and also has the longest range. It also has plenty of torque, so whether you’re loaded up or towing, it makes the lightest work of long-distance journeys.

The PureTech editions are good to drive and reasonably cost-effective to buy, but you’ll pay more to run one, thanks to reduced fuel economy. The e-Berlingo is much more expensive, but running costs will be lower, although a real-world range of 140-150 miles might be a problem for some.

Even the entry-level Berlingo Feel is pretty well equipped. As standard, Citroen fitted an eight-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, air-con, cruise control, electric front windows, rear parking sensors and auto emergency braking. The Feel also came with 16-inch steel wheels and pop-out rear side windows.

Flair added electric windows and privacy glass, power-folding door mirrors, an autodimming rear-view mirror and 16-inch alloys. The Flair XTR featured a head-up display, a rear camera and 17-inch wheels.

INFOTAINMENT Eight-inch touchscreen sits on top of the dashboard, but it’s not the most intuitive system to use

Alternatives

THE Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall Combo Life are effectively the Berlingo rebadged, with similar engines, specs and prices. Launched in 2014, the Ford Tourneo Connect is good to drive, roomy, well made and versatile, with a choice of efficient petrol or diesel engines.

Also take a look at the Volkswagen Caddy, the latest version of which was launched in 2021. Based on the same platform as the Golf, it’s dynamically very capable, well made, looks smart and has plenty of versatile space.

Verdict

THE third-generation Berlingo is genuinely plush if you buy towards the top of the range. It’s better to drive and built to a higher standard than ever, and with only electric powertrains available from 2022, the earlier petrol and diesel models could be a good investment for the next few years.

Contacts

Official citroen.co.uk Forums berlingoforum.com citroen-owners-club.co.uk