Under the skin they are basically the same vehicle, sensibly the Berlingo has a proper handbrake instead of the failure waiting to happen that is the electric jobbie standard on C4 Pic, old Berlingo sported rear drums but the current shape gained rear discs, proper spare tyre too.

No auto option on Berlingo, terrible oversight IMO, but otherwise i'm a big Berlingo fan, if they had offered the proper auto box in them, as found in the incredibly rare petrol only C4 Pic Lounge hatch then i would have had one long ago, though in manual form i think they are a good drive, supremely comfortable over Britains cratered and pot holed roads.

What i always noticed when driving all Berlingo's is that whichever engine is fitted, petrol or Diesel, always seem able to lug right down to stall speed without a murmer, almost impossibe to stall, much more tractable than with the same engine fitted to cars, maybe the vans were set up differently to account for their likely workload, makes them a pleasant drive IMO.

The automated manual box on C4 Pic is about standard for the gearbox type from most makers, ok on the open road where few changes are needed, sluggish and jolts (don't know how they manage that) when driven briskly, doesn't have a clue what gear it wants at junctions and absolutely useless for close manoeuvering, the same as all the other automated manuals then...i am biased i spent years delivering them, and getting these things onto the transporter didn't endear them to me...but don't let my one tiny criticism sway you..;)

EDIT...its been 3 years since i packed the cars deliveries in, so its possible i suppose that Berly could by now have an auto option, if thats the case i apologise for the wrong info...still couldn't pay me to have one though...:-)

Another edit...from HJ car reviews above....'

17-7-2011: Now apparently available with 1.6 HDI 90 and 6-speed EGS automated manual box.

Edited by gordonbennet on 05/09/2012 at 22:21

A bit of an update. I think we're headimg towards Picasso territory on a number of grounds. I think we'd like some warranty so we're looking at no more than 18 months old, or new if the broker prices can be believed. Dealers doing no VAT and 0% for 3 years which undercuts some of the nearly new on the market. Berlingo bought new makes less sense, but I think finding one with the full complement of both airbags and family friendly trim at the kind of age we want is hard. Peugeot do a Partner Tepee Family trim which ticks all the boxes, but none out there used and new theyre almost as expensive as a Grand Picasso.

A couple of questions which probably apply to more Citroens than just the one I'm interested in. We'll do 10kish a year, is the 1.6 petrol decent/reliable or do we need diesel for reliability/useability? Diesel is +£1,500 if we buy new. And secondly there are quite a few cars out there with the EGS box - if we get a 2011 on car with the software mods I read about is it a good box? BTW to answer a point made earlier I'm coming off a company car scheme, new firm pays an allowance which will pay for some of the cost of whatever we get.

Quick update. After a bit of searching around and a few test drives I've bought an 09 Grand Picasso VTR Plus 1.6 HDI with the EGS box - ex Motability car with 17k on the clock and 2 services under its belt. According to What Car I've paid £700 below dealer price and the car looked in great condition (as you'd hope for one with low mileage on it). My dad's had Motability cars for years so I know that they're pretty rigorous with maintenance and checks before they're handed back, so hopefully it'll do the job. Will know more when I pick it up tomorrow....