Poorly Multispace I was about to buy - best version to search for now please?

[Tara]

Hi

I had an engineers inspection booked for tomorrow on a 2014 Multispace 1.6 e-HDi Airdream XTR 90 BHP.

Dealer has called me to say the car may not be for sale now, as it has been discovered it 'slams / bangs onto gears' - adding that they are 'looking at changing oil and other things' but a large fix means the car will go to auction.

It's done 125k miles, but came with full service history and 6 months warranty.

I'm not car minded, but my gut is telling me to avoid the car now.
 
It wasn't a 'cheap bargain basement' car, and I knew these gearboxes could be jerky, which I'd have gotten used to (I had a Roadster with same set up) but a cheap fix could end up being temporary for other problems to come with the transmission?

I have set my heart on a Berlingo (or very similar van derived car) for my needs, but thinking I need an awareness now of models to avoid or go for. 

I'm not bothered about the bells and whistles this car had - keeping things simple is often best and cheaper to maintain.


What's your recommendations please? I don't mind an older model than 2014, just want one that generally has the best all round reliability.


Thank you

[jemselectrical]

Hi

I had an engineers inspection booked for tomorrow on a 2014 Multispace 1.6 e-HDi Airdream XTR 90 BHP.

Dealer has called me to say the car may not be for sale now, as it has been discovered it 'slams / bangs onto gears' - adding that they are 'looking at changing oil and other things' but a large fix means the car will go to auction.

It's done 125k miles, but came with full service history and 6 months warranty.

I'm not car minded, but my gut is telling me to avoid the car now.
 
It wasn't a 'cheap bargain basement' car, and I knew these gearboxes could be jerky, which I'd have gotten used to (I had a Roadster with same set up) but a cheap fix could end up being temporary for other problems to come with the transmission?

I have set my heart on a Berlingo (or very similar van derived car) for my needs, but thinking I need an awareness now of models to avoid or go for. 

I'm not bothered about the bells and whistles this car had - keeping things simple is often best and cheaper to maintain.


What's your recommendations please? I don't mind an older model than 2014, just want one that generally has the best all round reliability.


Thank you

If you live near, or go into London, don't get anything older than a 66' plate otherwise you'll get clobbered by £12.50 ULEZ charge per day

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[Multispacer]

Hi

I had an engineers inspection booked for tomorrow on a 2014 Multispace 1.6 e-HDi Airdream XTR 90 BHP.

Dealer has called me to say the car may not be for sale now, as it has been discovered it 'slams / bangs onto gears' - adding that they are 'looking at changing oil and other things' but a large fix means the car will go to auction.

It's done 125k miles, but came with full service history and 6 months warranty.

I'm not car minded, but my gut is telling me to avoid the car now.
 
It wasn't a 'cheap bargain basement' car, and I knew these gearboxes could be jerky, which I'd have gotten used to (I had a Roadster with same set up) but a cheap fix could end up being temporary for other problems to come with the transmission?

I have set my heart on a Berlingo (or very similar van derived car) for my needs, but thinking I need an awareness now of models to avoid or go for. 

I'm not bothered about the bells and whistles this car had - keeping things simple is often best and cheaper to maintain.


What's your recommendations please? I don't mind an older model than 2014, just want one that generally has the best all round reliability.


Thank you

If you live near, or go into London, don't get anything older than a 66' plate otherwise you'll get clobbered by £12.50 ULEZ charge per day

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

Looking at Tara's location, it states Devon.

[jj9]

Stay away from the piloted automatic gearbox, it's problematic and will cost you money.

Don't buy a diesel for around the doors driving unless you buy an older one without a particulate filter (DPF)

.

[shedpete]

If you live near, or go into London, don't get anything older than a 66' plate otherwise you'll get clobbered by £12.50 ULEZ charge per day

...unless of course you get a petrol model. Not sure how much earlier these go but my 2003 1.6 petrol is ULEZ exempt :-)

[ItsGreen]

There are no good little vans any more, they all have their problems. If it positively needs to be a diesel automatic combi van, for all that's wrong about them, I'd go with a Caddy. They're far from perfect, and they're overpriced, but it's the best one that ticks the right boxes from my experience. The Touran's basically the same thing up to the back seats and a lot cheaper, but they are a car that attracts neglectful previous owners.

If you can stand a petrol, the older Kangoo is half-decent in auto, but the road tax can be a bit scary.

[Tara]

There are no good little vans any more, they all have their problems. If it positively needs to be a diesel automatic combi van, for all that's wrong about them, I'd go with a Caddy. They're far from perfect, and they're overpriced, but it's the best one that ticks the right boxes from my experience. The Touran's basically the same thing up to the back seats and a lot cheaper, but they are a car that attracts neglectful previous owners.

If you can stand a petrol, the older Kangoo is half-decent in auto, but the road tax can be a bit scary.

Hi, and thanks. To be honest, I never wanted a diesel or an automatic :-)
I've been looking for several weeks for a car, but down here there's no stock, and what there is, is so overpriced (majority from auctions and the dealers are something else!)
I had to get something as I'm really stuck (live alone and can't get to see family etc)

I hope I don't get a cussing (as this is non Berlingo speak, haha) but since last night I've started looking for a combi / kombi van as you suggested. They aren't cheap, and finding a one that hasn't been abused won't be easy.

[ItsGreen]

Sorry, I meant a Combi van is in a 5 seat van with windows. Vauxhall Combos..... they're either good or their bad, I know people who love them, I'm not a fan.

[jemselectrical]

If you live near, or go into London, don't get anything older than a 66' plate otherwise you'll get clobbered by £12.50 ULEZ charge per day

...unless of course you get a petrol model. Not sure how much earlier these go but my 2003 1.6 petrol is ULEZ exempt :-)

Exactly what I've done by getting the petrol. The Kahnt can poke it

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[Tara]

Sorry, I meant a Combi van is in a 5 seat van with windows. Vauxhall Combos..... they're either good or their bad, I know people who love them, I'm not a fan.

Yes, that's what I'm looking towards... A 5 seater midi sized van with some rear windows and a decent work space in the back. I've seen a few online, but prices were out of my max budget.

I didn't see Vauxhalls when I looked, but I'm not keen on the brand in general. My family have had various car models over the years, and not one of them was what you'd call reliable 

I have a lot of homework to do. In the meanwhile if a decent petrol Berlingo pops up, I'll be sure to check it out