Just joined and would welcome some advice on buying a used Berlingo!

[Bluesky2000]

Hi very excited to find your forum and so much knowledge in one place! My old car eventually packed up last week, and I thought rather than just replacing it with a similar one, it would be much more exciting to buy a used Berlingo that can also double up to do some camping in! Unfortunately, not got a lot of money at the moment so need to find one that is quite a few years old.

Seen a few but wondering what I should be looking out for...


Firstly, love the idea of being able to unclip the back seats down and fold down the front seats, but now reading the threads here it seems that not all models do this... If anyone could point me in the direction of the years and models that do that would be a great help. My husband is  6 foot 2 so looking to maximise the space to put a mattress in.

Secondly, also was looking at a 1.6 TD engine.  I have heard some issues with the engine and oil and would appreciate any advice on this. Would a long service record help? 

Thirdly, is the headroom the same in all the cars or do some models ie the ones with the sunroof, have more? Again, just wondering if we use a boot camping kit such as the amdro, whether someone who is 6 foot 2 can sit ok?


Sorry for my ignorance, but hoping to fully join your community properly once we have a Berlingo!

Many thanks Nic

[cancunia]

Welcome to the forum. I've had an M59 model Berlingo which was made up until about 2008/9 for a couple of years, the back seats need to be unbolted to remove them and the front seats will only go up to the vertical position without a small modification that allows them to be wound forwards past vertical.
As I understand things, the later B9 models have rear seats that can be removed easily & have folding front seats. The B9 is also a bit larger, but according to some reports I've read seems somehow not so solid as the M59. The 1.6 Hdi 16v engines have a poor reputation, mostly down to poor servicing, the later 1.6 8v models from about 2012 don't seem to suffer so much.
Hopefully someone with a B9 will be along to comment .

[Bluesky2000]

Welcome to the forum. I've had an M59 model Berlingo which was made up until about 2008/9 for a couple of years, the back seats need to be unbolted to remove them and the front seats will only go up to the vertical position without a small modification that allows them to be wound forwards past vertical.
As I understand things, the later B9 models have rear seats that can be removed easily & have folding front seats. The B9 is also a bit larger, but according to some reports I've read seems somehow not so solid as the M59. The 1.6 Hdi 16v engines have a poor reputation, mostly down to poor servicing, the later 1.6 8v models from about 2012 don't seem to suffer so much.
Hopefully someone with a B9 will be along to comment .

Thank you - that is really helpful advice.  I will keep looking but feel much better informed now!

[geoff]

A Berlingo is essentially a solid and reliable vehicle so is a good basis for something that doesn't drain the wallet and can be DIY friendly for maintenance.

Try and buy on condition and look for signs of care and attention. If you can get service history then all the better as the 1.6 Hdi benefits from fresh clean oil on a regular basis and the correct oil is important, Citroen upped the spec of the oil after a couple of years and it is generally considered that this helped eliminated the stories of turbo failure. Generally the engine is reliable a strong runner and economic to run.

A Berlingo doesn't rust as such and looks good even with age so look for overall condition and signs of general abuse, wear on seats and trims, bumps and dents. Most all older vehicles tend to be neglected and run on a shoestring with exhausts, discs, pads, tyres etc tending not to be replaced if at all possible so these things being done indicates a bit of care and the potential for a good vehicle. Similarly with the cambelt having been done.

Make sure all electrical items work correctly and there are no fault lights on the dash, if not correct avoid or negotiate a substantial price discount.

Some folks here have converted for camping so have a Forum search.

[Bluesky2000]

Again really helpful advice, many thanks!

[Oldskool]

Again really helpful advice, many thanks!

I can't fault mine XTR 1.6 hdi  , amdro in the back and plenty of headroom .

[Matt Haigh]

I've only had B9's, a 2010 (16v) and a 2016 (8v) model, both XTR models.
I posted a brief comparison of the two on the forum here: https://www.berlingoforum.com/thread-18338.html
Not all B9's have 3 individually removable rear seats, XTR's and some other trim levels do but remainder have a 2+1 split which makes the large double seat heavy to remove.
Personally I think the modutop is mostly gimmick, it certainly eats into storage volume and storage height.
Pay attention to the options when you are searching, for example not all B9's will have electrically folding door mirrors, parking sensors, etc. etc.

[Bluesky2000]

Again thank you all so much. I have just purchased a 2014 1.6 HDI Plus ! (with full main dealer service history). It felt a bit of a quick decision in the end, but I felt confident it was a good buy based on your advice and info. from the rest of the forum

I will now sell my trailer tent and start to work out how best to use the Berlingo for camping trips for two, now our children no longer want to go away with us! - Cheers Nic