Faults:

I started up my own business in 2003, and within a year had saved up 4000ukp to buy myself a van with.

I purchased an ex BSYSB Citroen Berlingo. This came with side door, racking and steel bulkhead.

On purchase the van had 26k on the clock.

I have just sold this van having replaced it with a Transit Connect, on sale it had 126k on the clock.

In the three years I put 100k on this van the following was carried out...

Oil change every 10k

2 sets of disk and pads

Front tyres

2 windscreens.

That's it!!! :-)

The suspension and rear brakes were never touched. The rear tyres were never changed. I paid 3500+ VAT for this van when it was 2 years old. I just sold it for 1500 quid; can motoring ever get any better than that!!!

General Comments:

Fantastic, would not hesitate to have another. Only reason I went for the Connect is because it's slightly larger inside and has a turbo. As you can see I am covering mega miles nationwide, and the only thing against the Berlingo was its lack of power. Great van and I would still have it, but I lost my nerve at 126k fearing big bills would eventually have to arrive!

Faults:

Interior light does not come on when the doors are opened. Have to use manual switches.

Rain can drip into the boot when the large back door is opened and used as a shelter.

Rubber trim above sliding door needed sticking back on.

Power steering is OK, but could have been just a little lighter.

General Comments:

A good workhorse with a dash of styling.

I watched the Jeremy Clarkson video (LOL) and decided to try a Berlingo out. I chose a diesel hire car in Lanzarote. Unsure of what c.c. the engine was. Immediately liked the car, although noticed quite considerable tyre drumming on the coarse Lanzarote roads.

The amount of space, headroom, general practicality of the vehicle is impressive. Slightly reminds me of the old Matra Rancho (Simca) of the 1970s, - just a simple design given styling and flair.

I find the 1.6i engine highly responsive once wound up, and the car cruises very nicely on Motorways. I don't have an issue with stability as I still have an old style 4x4 and have had various other high sided vehicles before, so perhaps I'm used to some body roll and making the necessary driving compensations for it.

Economy wise I'm laughing all the way to the bank, with excellent fuel figures and low insurance on this car, and tend to just use my old 4x4 for bad weather, hiking expeditions etc.

I've Waxoyled the rear suspension units and also floor panels, as I always have suspicions regarding corrosion from French (and Italian) cars. I notice the brake pipes run fully exposed the full length of the vehicle, so probably worth greasing or Waxoyling these. Thank goodness the power steering is conventional fluid and belt driven. This is a mechanical advantage over some small MPV rivals. Generally it's a very easy DIY-er car.

I use the word MPV loosely as it's a van with seats and windows; but as Clarkson said: "I like it!"