Help: I need a small MPV to carry my three granddaughters!

Hello,

For financial reasons I have to sell my 2005 Citroen Xsara Picasso diesel. I really like the style of the car and therefore I would like to stick with Citroen. Vitally important though is: it MUST have three seat belts in the back. So I am looking for a smaller and cheaper to run vehicle. I will have about €2,000 to spend. Can you tell me what cars of under 1.6-litre have the required three seat belts? I have three grand-daughters!!!

Many thanks,

Sinéad L. Rush, Co. Dublin

Sinead Lamont (Rush)

Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

Okay, so you want to stick with Citroen, need three across the back and an engine under 1.6 litres. That's a tricky combination, but why not try a C3 Picasso? That's a crackingly good small MPV and it comes with Citroen's super economical 1.6 diesel. Or, with a bit of searching, you may be able to track down a 1.4 petrol version. 

As for the back seat, I've personally managed to get three child seats in, but it can be a bit of a squeeze. Depending on the age of your granddaughters though I may have a solution. Have a look online for a company called Bubble Bum. They make inflatable booster seats that both store flat when you don't need them and which are usually a little narrower than the bigger boosters. That could save you a crucial bit of space.

Let us know how you get on

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe