looking for a small mpv fit for purpose

zoelife

I am looking for a reliable used small mpv that is economical bags of space for mobility scooter and or manual wheelchair (but still small enough to park and doesn't cost earth to insure!).


It needs to have high seats so can get straight in and out but low sills so can get into the vehicle easier. comfy seats (not sure any of the guides cover this one) and lots of leg room.


Any ideas on reliable places to look would be great

whilst looking for space I would also like a car that is a good drive manoeuvrable probably petrol and all this for a bargain price (up to 3,500))
Ford c max looks like an option? Would be grateful for any ideas and also what to avoid what mileage to look at and if there are better worse models or any issues more likely at certain mileage.

Is it possible to find out if for example ex users have smoked had pets?


Please shift this post if a more appropriate spot exists on mse thanks for looking and helping

forgotmyname

What mileage to look at depends on what mileage you cover. I do a low yearly mileage so always buy a high mileage car. 120,000 - 130,000. I normally do 4000 - 6000 a year so sell it after 5 years with 150,000 miles on it.

Last few years my mileage has been a lot more so this cars now on 170,000 miles.
My current car was 5 years old when i bought it and cost just over £2000. That was in 2009.

What good to drive for one may not suit another. The C-Max seems to have hard seats which i find uncomfortable compared to my Mondeo. But the Mondeo is probably too low for you.

Find out if the previous owners were smokers or had pets. Ask them, If buying from a dealer then a close inspection for pet hair and lighter/ashtray useage then no you wont know.

Buy on condition and its service history. When they say the service interval is 12,000 miles. Thats the maximum not a target.

daveyjp

The budget will probably be too low, but a Mercedes B class fits all your requirements. If getting out is key it has the benefit of a flat floor from sill height, so no need to lift your feet above the sill when getting out.

They are shorter than a Focus, so easy to park, plenty of boot space, more legroom than a Mercedes S class and very comfy seats.

facade

The Nissan Note is a very popular motability car.
Ticks all your boxes except the sills: the ones on mine took a bit of a battering from the motability owner.
Take a look at one, thousands about on garage forecourts.

zoelife

as well as reliable I am looking for a car that if anything does need fixing it is reasonable cost wise to repair great to hear what peoples experiences are of the different makes cheers

fivetide

Another Note vote as a nice high up car. The inclusion oft he scooter is tough though as I assume it would need lifting in and the Note has a high boot.

I'd have thought this - Citroen Berlingo would be good.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/citroen/berlingo/citroen-berlingo-1-6-hdi-forte-5dr-fsh/2155128

Edit to add that's just an example. There should be petrol ones and within budget too.

BeenThroughItAll

I'll get slated for saying it, but a Citroen Picasso would do the job. I and my family have had four now, clocked up well over 350K in total (I had two as company cars accounting for 200K of that) and have never had any reliability problems at all. Routine servicing and standard mechanical fixes only in all that time.


All of ours have been the bulletproof 2.0HDI, no DPF, no DMF, just a simple bombproof turbodiesel. 50+MPG average, 60+MPG on a run, cheap to tax, cheap to insure, parts are cheap and easy to get.


Just watch out for rusted out sills.

knightstyle

Renault Modus is cheap and the 1.5 diesel is reliable and great mpg with very easy access front seats and boot. A friend has one with a winch thing to put her electric wheelchair into the back.

fivetide

knightstyle wrote: »

Renault Modus is cheap and the 1.5 diesel is reliable and great mpg with very easy access front seats and boot. A friend has one with a winch thing to put her electric wheelchair into the back.

Exactly the same car as the Note under the skin so good insight. We felt the Note was better appointed inside though.

facade

knightstyle wrote: »

Renault Modus is cheap and the 1.5 diesel is reliable and great mpg with very easy access front seats and boot. A friend has one with a winch thing to put her electric wheelchair into the back.

They are cheap because Renault have a terrible reputation for electrical problems, and the 1.5 diesel can be a lot of trouble.

The Nissan Note is actually based on a Renault Modus, with a Nissan petrol engine, and slightly more reliable electrics, they don't go wrong much, but have weak clonky front suspension, an ineffectual heater, and mind of their own wipers & lights (Renault's contribution I think)

bigjl

Vauxhall Zafira was a very common Motability choice over the last few years.

A lot seem to be low spec petrols.

When you realise you can buy them for £11k brand new you can see why.

The 1.9cdti with dpf can be problematic.

Though they are still used for fast response work by the LAS.

And most have done the wrong side of 100k round London. Infact most have likely done 150k.

But the 1.6 or 1.8 petrol is all you really need.

From around £6k at three years old.

With third row of seats folded away they have a huge boot.

They are comfortable if a little old school.

£ for £ i think they are a good deal.

C Max is also a nice little car

But the boot is smaller and i think it has a deep load lip. The Zafira doesn't. Much easier to slid a heavy wheelchair in and out of.