Buying a used MPV - Which model is best?
We are interested in buying a used seven-seat MPVv and have seen a 2015 Fiat 500L MPW 1.6 Popstar diesel on offer for 10.5K with around 5500 miles on the clock. They look really different from the norm and my wife and I have have been considering one. However, we tend to keep our cars for a while, my Volkswagen Passat diesel was bought new in 2005 and now has done 188,000 miles and my wife's Almera has 90,000 from new in 2004.
I am concerned about the reliability/durability of the Fiat. I have never owned one and always remember them being branded as rusty, unreliable with a less than robust interior. I am sure things have changed but how much?
Should we stick to a more 'conventional' option like the Toyota Verso, Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, Citroen Picasso or even a Nissan Qashqai +2 if we want decent longevity? However, our budget of circa. £10k will only stretch at best to 2012/2013 models of other 'mainstream' MPVs.
I am concerned about the reliability/durability of the Fiat. I have never owned one and always remember them being branded as rusty, unreliable with a less than robust interior. I am sure things have changed but how much?
Should we stick to a more 'conventional' option like the Toyota Verso, Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, Citroen Picasso or even a Nissan Qashqai +2 if we want decent longevity? However, our budget of circa. £10k will only stretch at best to 2012/2013 models of other 'mainstream' MPVs.
Asked on 3 July 2016 by fathernoelfurlong
Answered by
Honest John
FIAT's 1.6 Multijet diesel doesn't have a brilliant reputation, but unless you do 20k miles a year I wouldn't be looking at diesel anyway. Too many problems with the emissions equipment. The Toyota Verso 1.8i Valvematic Multidrive S is the best Verso. None of the other cars on your list have great records for reliability. See www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar.
Test of the 500L MPW here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/fiat/fiat-500-xl-a.../ The best compact seven-seater was the Mazda 5 TS2 1.6d or 2.0 petrol, though the PSA/Ford diese engine in that can develop problems.
Test of the 500L MPW here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/fiat/fiat-500-xl-a.../ The best compact seven-seater was the Mazda 5 TS2 1.6d or 2.0 petrol, though the PSA/Ford diese engine in that can develop problems.
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