Berlingo vs Kangoo vs Partner vans (or any other suggestions welcome!)

ClaireLR

Any help appreciated!
I'm looking at buying a van around the size of the ones in the title.  
I'm looking for recommendations based on MPG, insurance, cost of repairs etc and ULEZ compliance (although this is not as important yet to us).
Does anyone have any recommendations?  Looking to spend around £4-5k, will be carrying heavy work equipment.  
I know nothing about vans as I've never owned one so any help is appreciated!

CKhalvashi

We've operated both the Transit Connect (as a double cab) and the Citan (which effectively is a Kangoo, not as a double cab), both without issues.

The Connect I believe had a slightly higher payload than anything similar in the specific configuration we ordered it (this was in about 2008 so may not be up to date).

SiliconChip

You may need to think about your budget, the cost of second hand vans has soared so you're very unlikely to get something as good for your money as you would have done a few years ago. I'd suspect that £4-5K is going to be very much low end and you might need to spend more to get something reliable, especially if you're planning fairly hard use for it.

Goudy

For a diesel van to be ULEZ compliant, it needs to be Euro 6 and one of them in your budget is going to be pretty much impossible, you are really only going to find Euro 5 vans with your budget.

They did offer a few vans this size with petrol engines, but they didn't sell in big numbers, if at all.
I think the Partner/Berlingo sold a few more petrol versions than the others, which would be ULEZ compliant.

All these small vans are worth a look, but if you are lugging heavier loads you might need to check the payload weights as the can range from around 600kg to 1000kg depending on model/engine/suspension.
Vauxhall Combo/Fiat Doblo (same van)
Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner (same van)
Transit Connect
Renault Kangoo/Mercedes Citan (same van)
Nissan NV200 (same engine as the Kangoo/Citan)

You will have to remember small vans like this work hard and if all suit for size and weight then it might be better to just try and find the best you can no matter what it is.

You will likely need to factor in VAT on the van, so your budget then would be pretty small, but some are sold without if they have already passed on to private ownership.

If it just for lugging stuff around privately, you could consider the car versions of these vans, like the Citroen Berlingo Multispace.
They are usually cheaper to insure, tax, you won't pay VAT and are usually in better condition for the year.

I have done it myself with a couple, just removed the rear seats, rubber matted the back and tinted out the rear windows.

The Combo/Doblo tend to be cheap with the smaller 1.3 engine, but that might not be enough for a heavier load but they do a 1.6.

The Berlingo/Partner tends to come with a 1.6 but it's not that more powerful than the 1.3 Combo/Doblo..
I think Ford use the same engine after a certain year.

The Kangoo/Citan/NV200 engine is a Renualt/Nissan 1.5 and it's a much better engine.
It's pretty frugal, pulls really well and if looked after it's quite reliable.
If it was my choice I would be pulled towards one of these.

I seem to recall this 1.5 engine didn't need any further emission equipment (like SCR/Adblue) to met Euro 6, so you might get it ULEZ complaint on it's certificate of conformity

ClaireLR

Goudy said:

For a diesel van to be ULEZ compliant, it needs to be Euro 6 and one of them in your budget is going to be pretty much impossible, you are really only going to find Euro 5 vans with your budget.

They did offer a few vans this size with petrol engines, but they didn't sell in big numbers, if at all.
I think the Partner/Berlingo sold a few more petrol versions than the others, which would be ULEZ compliant.

All these small vans are worth a look, but if you are lugging heavier loads you might need to check the payload weights as the can range from around 600kg to 1000kg depending on model/engine/suspension.
Vauxhall Combo/Fiat Doblo (same van)
Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner (same van)
Transit Connect
Renault Kangoo/Mercedes Citan (same van)
Nissan NV200 (same engine as the Kangoo/Citan)

You will have to remember small vans like this work hard and if all suit for size and weight then it might be better to just try and find the best you can no matter what it is.

You will likely need to factor in VAT on the van, so your budget then would be pretty small, but some are sold without if they have already passed on to private ownership.

If it just for lugging stuff around privately, you could consider the car versions of these vans, like the Citroen Berlingo Multispace.
They are usually cheaper to insure, tax, you won't pay VAT and are usually in better condition for the year.

I have done it myself with a couple, just removed the rear seats, rubber matted the back and tinted out the rear windows.

The Combo/Doblo tend to be cheap with the smaller 1.3 engine, but that might not be enough for a heavier load but they do a 1.6.

The Berlingo/Partner tends to come with a 1.6 but it's not that more powerful than the 1.3 Combo/Doblo..
I think Ford use the same engine after a certain year.

The Kangoo/Citan/NV200 engine is a Renualt/Nissan 1.5 and it's a much better engine.
It's pretty frugal, pulls really well and if looked after it's quite reliable.
If it was my choice I would be pulled towards one of these.

I seem to recall this 1.5 engine didn't need any further emission equipment (like SCR/Adblue) to met Euro 6, so you might get it ULEZ complaint on it's certificate of conformity

Thank you for all of that information! Really appreciate it. 
Can I pick your brains a little further please?
The max weight we'll be carrying should be 600-700kgs. 
If we were going for a car version of a van, is there a better one to buy in terms of MPG, Tax and being ULEZ compliant?  I don't mind spending a bit more on the initial outlay if it means saving in the long run as we're planning on hopefully keeping it for a while.  

If you had to pick one van out of all those mentioned, which would you go for?

Herzlos

ClaireLR said:

Goudy said:

For a diesel van to be ULEZ compliant, it needs to be Euro 6 and one of them in your budget is going to be pretty much impossible, you are really only going to find Euro 5 vans with your budget.

They did offer a few vans this size with petrol engines, but they didn't sell in big numbers, if at all.
I think the Partner/Berlingo sold a few more petrol versions than the others, which would be ULEZ compliant.

All these small vans are worth a look, but if you are lugging heavier loads you might need to check the payload weights as the can range from around 600kg to 1000kg depending on model/engine/suspension.
Vauxhall Combo/Fiat Doblo (same van)
Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner (same van)
Transit Connect
Renault Kangoo/Mercedes Citan (same van)
Nissan NV200 (same engine as the Kangoo/Citan)

You will have to remember small vans like this work hard and if all suit for size and weight then it might be better to just try and find the best you can no matter what it is.

You will likely need to factor in VAT on the van, so your budget then would be pretty small, but some are sold without if they have already passed on to private ownership.

If it just for lugging stuff around privately, you could consider the car versions of these vans, like the Citroen Berlingo Multispace.
They are usually cheaper to insure, tax, you won't pay VAT and are usually in better condition for the year.

I have done it myself with a couple, just removed the rear seats, rubber matted the back and tinted out the rear windows.

The Combo/Doblo tend to be cheap with the smaller 1.3 engine, but that might not be enough for a heavier load but they do a 1.6.

The Berlingo/Partner tends to come with a 1.6 but it's not that more powerful than the 1.3 Combo/Doblo..
I think Ford use the same engine after a certain year.

The Kangoo/Citan/NV200 engine is a Renualt/Nissan 1.5 and it's a much better engine.
It's pretty frugal, pulls really well and if looked after it's quite reliable.
If it was my choice I would be pulled towards one of these.

I seem to recall this 1.5 engine didn't need any further emission equipment (like SCR/Adblue) to met Euro 6, so you might get it ULEZ complaint on it's certificate of conformity

Thank you for all of that information! Really appreciate it. 
Can I pick your brains a little further please?
The max weight we'll be carrying should be 600-700kgs. 
If we were going for a car version of a van, is there a better one to buy in terms of MPG, Tax and being ULEZ compliant?  I don't mind spending a bit more on the initial outlay if it means saving in the long run as we're planning on hopefully keeping it for a while.  

If you had to pick one van out of all those mentioned, which would you go for?

700kg is almost certainly outside the weight restrictions on most of the car variants. IIRC the Berlingo Multispace has a limit of about 500-550kg.

Most cars will be able to tow a trailer with a 700kg payload though, so that's potentially an option if you're not too tight on space.

£5k will get you a new Ifor Williams 8x5' box van with about 1000kg payload.

CKhalvashi

Herzlos said:

ClaireLR said:

Goudy said:

For a diesel van to be ULEZ compliant, it needs to be Euro 6 and one of them in your budget is going to be pretty much impossible, you are really only going to find Euro 5 vans with your budget.

They did offer a few vans this size with petrol engines, but they didn't sell in big numbers, if at all.
I think the Partner/Berlingo sold a few more petrol versions than the others, which would be ULEZ compliant.

All these small vans are worth a look, but if you are lugging heavier loads you might need to check the payload weights as the can range from around 600kg to 1000kg depending on model/engine/suspension.
Vauxhall Combo/Fiat Doblo (same van)
Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner (same van)
Transit Connect
Renault Kangoo/Mercedes Citan (same van)
Nissan NV200 (same engine as the Kangoo/Citan)

You will have to remember small vans like this work hard and if all suit for size and weight then it might be better to just try and find the best you can no matter what it is.

You will likely need to factor in VAT on the van, so your budget then would be pretty small, but some are sold without if they have already passed on to private ownership.

If it just for lugging stuff around privately, you could consider the car versions of these vans, like the Citroen Berlingo Multispace.
They are usually cheaper to insure, tax, you won't pay VAT and are usually in better condition for the year.

I have done it myself with a couple, just removed the rear seats, rubber matted the back and tinted out the rear windows.

The Combo/Doblo tend to be cheap with the smaller 1.3 engine, but that might not be enough for a heavier load but they do a 1.6.

The Berlingo/Partner tends to come with a 1.6 but it's not that more powerful than the 1.3 Combo/Doblo..
I think Ford use the same engine after a certain year.

The Kangoo/Citan/NV200 engine is a Renualt/Nissan 1.5 and it's a much better engine.
It's pretty frugal, pulls really well and if looked after it's quite reliable.
If it was my choice I would be pulled towards one of these.

I seem to recall this 1.5 engine didn't need any further emission equipment (like SCR/Adblue) to met Euro 6, so you might get it ULEZ complaint on it's certificate of conformity

Thank you for all of that information! Really appreciate it. 
Can I pick your brains a little further please?
The max weight we'll be carrying should be 600-700kgs. 
If we were going for a car version of a van, is there a better one to buy in terms of MPG, Tax and being ULEZ compliant?  I don't mind spending a bit more on the initial outlay if it means saving in the long run as we're planning on hopefully keeping it for a while.  

If you had to pick one van out of all those mentioned, which would you go for?

700kg is almost certainly outside the weight restrictions on most of the car variants. IIRC the Berlingo Multispace has a limit of about 500-550kg.

Most cars will be able to tow a trailer with a 700kg payload though, so that's potentially an option if you're not too tight on space.

£5k will get you a new Ifor Williams 8x5' box van with about 1000kg payload.

Remember though that for some driving license categories there is a limit of 3500kg total for vehicle/trailer combinations, with a trailer limited to 750kg in some cases.

That does sound a good option though Herzlos and one I hadn't thought of.

marlot

CKhalvashi said:

Herzlos said:

ClaireLR said:

Goudy said:

For a diesel van to be ULEZ compliant, it needs to be Euro 6 and one of them in your budget is going to be pretty much impossible, you are really only going to find Euro 5 vans with your budget.

They did offer a few vans this size with petrol engines, but they didn't sell in big numbers, if at all.
I think the Partner/Berlingo sold a few more petrol versions than the others, which would be ULEZ compliant.

All these small vans are worth a look, but if you are lugging heavier loads you might need to check the payload weights as the can range from around 600kg to 1000kg depending on model/engine/suspension.
Vauxhall Combo/Fiat Doblo (same van)
Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner (same van)
Transit Connect
Renault Kangoo/Mercedes Citan (same van)
Nissan NV200 (same engine as the Kangoo/Citan)

You will have to remember small vans like this work hard and if all suit for size and weight then it might be better to just try and find the best you can no matter what it is.

You will likely need to factor in VAT on the van, so your budget then would be pretty small, but some are sold without if they have already passed on to private ownership.

If it just for lugging stuff around privately, you could consider the car versions of these vans, like the Citroen Berlingo Multispace.
They are usually cheaper to insure, tax, you won't pay VAT and are usually in better condition for the year.

I have done it myself with a couple, just removed the rear seats, rubber matted the back and tinted out the rear windows.

The Combo/Doblo tend to be cheap with the smaller 1.3 engine, but that might not be enough for a heavier load but they do a 1.6.

The Berlingo/Partner tends to come with a 1.6 but it's not that more powerful than the 1.3 Combo/Doblo..
I think Ford use the same engine after a certain year.

The Kangoo/Citan/NV200 engine is a Renualt/Nissan 1.5 and it's a much better engine.
It's pretty frugal, pulls really well and if looked after it's quite reliable.
If it was my choice I would be pulled towards one of these.

I seem to recall this 1.5 engine didn't need any further emission equipment (like SCR/Adblue) to met Euro 6, so you might get it ULEZ complaint on it's certificate of conformity

Thank you for all of that information! Really appreciate it. 
Can I pick your brains a little further please?
The max weight we'll be carrying should be 600-700kgs. 
If we were going for a car version of a van, is there a better one to buy in terms of MPG, Tax and being ULEZ compliant?  I don't mind spending a bit more on the initial outlay if it means saving in the long run as we're planning on hopefully keeping it for a while.  

If you had to pick one van out of all those mentioned, which would you go for?

700kg is almost certainly outside the weight restrictions on most of the car variants. IIRC the Berlingo Multispace has a limit of about 500-550kg.

Most cars will be able to tow a trailer with a 700kg payload though, so that's potentially an option if you're not too tight on space.

£5k will get you a new Ifor Williams 8x5' box van with about 1000kg payload.

Remember though that for some driving license categories there is a limit of 3500kg total for vehicle/trailer combinations, with a trailer limited to 750kg in some cases.

That does sound a good option though Herzlos and one I hadn't thought of.

The law changed a year or so ago.  Everyone with a B licence can now tow larger trailers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer-or-caravan-with-a-car-from-autumn-2021

CKhalvashi

marlot said:

CKhalvashi said:

Herzlos said:

ClaireLR said:

Goudy said:

For a diesel van to be ULEZ compliant, it needs to be Euro 6 and one of them in your budget is going to be pretty much impossible, you are really only going to find Euro 5 vans with your budget.

They did offer a few vans this size with petrol engines, but they didn't sell in big numbers, if at all.
I think the Partner/Berlingo sold a few more petrol versions than the others, which would be ULEZ compliant.

All these small vans are worth a look, but if you are lugging heavier loads you might need to check the payload weights as the can range from around 600kg to 1000kg depending on model/engine/suspension.
Vauxhall Combo/Fiat Doblo (same van)
Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner (same van)
Transit Connect
Renault Kangoo/Mercedes Citan (same van)
Nissan NV200 (same engine as the Kangoo/Citan)

You will have to remember small vans like this work hard and if all suit for size and weight then it might be better to just try and find the best you can no matter what it is.

You will likely need to factor in VAT on the van, so your budget then would be pretty small, but some are sold without if they have already passed on to private ownership.

If it just for lugging stuff around privately, you could consider the car versions of these vans, like the Citroen Berlingo Multispace.
They are usually cheaper to insure, tax, you won't pay VAT and are usually in better condition for the year.

I have done it myself with a couple, just removed the rear seats, rubber matted the back and tinted out the rear windows.

The Combo/Doblo tend to be cheap with the smaller 1.3 engine, but that might not be enough for a heavier load but they do a 1.6.

The Berlingo/Partner tends to come with a 1.6 but it's not that more powerful than the 1.3 Combo/Doblo..
I think Ford use the same engine after a certain year.

The Kangoo/Citan/NV200 engine is a Renualt/Nissan 1.5 and it's a much better engine.
It's pretty frugal, pulls really well and if looked after it's quite reliable.
If it was my choice I would be pulled towards one of these.

I seem to recall this 1.5 engine didn't need any further emission equipment (like SCR/Adblue) to met Euro 6, so you might get it ULEZ complaint on it's certificate of conformity

Thank you for all of that information! Really appreciate it. 
Can I pick your brains a little further please?
The max weight we'll be carrying should be 600-700kgs. 
If we were going for a car version of a van, is there a better one to buy in terms of MPG, Tax and being ULEZ compliant?  I don't mind spending a bit more on the initial outlay if it means saving in the long run as we're planning on hopefully keeping it for a while.  

If you had to pick one van out of all those mentioned, which would you go for?

700kg is almost certainly outside the weight restrictions on most of the car variants. IIRC the Berlingo Multispace has a limit of about 500-550kg.

Most cars will be able to tow a trailer with a 700kg payload though, so that's potentially an option if you're not too tight on space.

£5k will get you a new Ifor Williams 8x5' box van with about 1000kg payload.

Remember though that for some driving license categories there is a limit of 3500kg total for vehicle/trailer combinations, with a trailer limited to 750kg in some cases.

That does sound a good option though Herzlos and one I hadn't thought of.

The law changed a year or so ago.  Everyone with a B licence can now tow larger trailers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer-or-caravan-with-a-car-from-autumn-2021

Thanks for that!

We have a no trailer policy for insurance/vehicle configuration reasons (the older Sprinters have a rear step, the newer Vivaros are EV and are limited to 750kg anyway but don't have a towbar) so naturally this doesn't apply to us as a company, hence I missed it. I've just got into the office and our fleet manager has just told me the same

Goudy

I think your payload is going to be boardline for this type of vehicle, van or car.

I think the Kangoo Van with the 1.5 Dci engine with either 90 or 110hp has around a 650kg capacity and the longer wheelbase Maxi version has around 750kg capacity.

This Renault/Nissan 1.5 Dci engine is a better bet than the Fiat 1.3 diesel in the Doblo/Combo as that can have timing chain issues.
The 1.6 Hdi in the Citroen/Peugeot is ok, but it can be fussy to look after and that tends to reflect in it's reliablility. particularly with their turbos.

You will have to push your budget some to get a Euro 6 version, but if you hunt around there are some available that have had their VAT already swallowed.

They didn't sell many car versions of the Kangoo, but if you are interested in the car versions, you really need to dig into the load capacities, as unlike vans they aren't well published.

Flight3287462

How much margin for error are you building into your weight calculations?  Sounds like you may need to calculate it fairly accurately.