What's the best MPV for under €8,000?

What is the best MPV available for under €8,000? It can be either a five-seater (C-Max) or the full seven-seater. My priorities are reliability and fuel economy.

Thanks.

James Behan (Dublin)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi James,

Actually, you mentioned the Ford C-Max there and, while we criticised it when new for not being exciting enough, it's a pretty canny secondhand buy, with good build quality and excellent economy as long as you go for the 1.6 TDCi diesel.

If it's a full-size seven-seater you want then your €8k budget will easily get you into a SEAT Alhambra seven-seater. It's the old shape model, so you won't get fold-flat rear seats, but the 1.9-litre TDI diesel engine is both frugal and largely unburstable.

Finally there's the good old Opel Zafira. Ever popular, it's not the most refined or sophisticated but the 1.9 CDTi diesel engine is frugal and the interior is hugely flexible and adaptable.

Let us know how you get on

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe