If your budget is flexible and you want something more expensive and with better build quality, the Volkswagen T6 Caravelle (2015-2022) is worth a look. It came only with a 2.0 TDI diesel engine, and prices start at £20,000 for a 2015 example.
Even more classy (and expensive) is the Mercedes V-Class, from 2015. An upmarket interior means the V-Class is luxurious, but anything that’s done fewer than 100,000 miles will set you back at least £25,000.
What to look for
Sliding doors
Electrical glitches are the most common gripe, especially problems with the sliding rear side doors. Check everything.
Not so apeeling
Poor paint quality is another common issue, with orange peel par for the course – and even minor rust in localised spots.
Something blue
Some owners have had problems with the AdBlue tank (on all BlueHDi models), either breaking or failing to register.
Check, mate
Whatever the age of SpaceTourer you’re buying, be sure to put it through an MoT, because some mechanical items can wear prematurely.
Interior
The dash layout is excellent and the raised seating position is very reassuring, while the trim and cabin detailing aren’t too businesslike, considering the Citroen’s roots. The biggest disappointment is that the second and third rows of seats don’t fold flat, so they have to be lifted in and out.
Apart from the six or seven-seat Business Lounge, all SpaceTourers come with eight or nine seats (a three-abreast bench front seat is optional). Even with three rows in use, the M’s boot can stow 507 litres; remove row three and this jumps to 2,291 litres, or a massive 3,968 litres with row two also removed. With just the front seats in use, the XL edition can accommodate a massive 4,554 litres.
Running costs
Most Citroens need to be serviced annually or every 12,000 miles, so the fact that the SpaceTourer’s interval is every two years or 32,000 miles belies its commercial roots. Services alternate between Minor and Major, which are priced at £199 and £359 respectively, but a Minor service every year is advised to extend the lifespan of the engine. On top of this, fresh brake fluid is needed every two years, at £70, while all BlueHDi engines have cambelts – replaced every 10 years or 96,000 miles, for £500. The EV needs to be serviced every two years or 16,000 miles.
Recalls
Citroen has issued a huge 40 campaigns for the SpaceTourer. There were seven recalls in February 2017 alone, for fuel leaks, airbag glitches and electrical malfunctions, plus starter-motor and steering-rack failures. Over the next six years there would be recalls for air-con compressors working loose (and, later on, pulleys breaking), the engine overheating or leaking oil (two separate recalls), sub-standard suspension bolts, faulty seatbelts and water ingress in the cabin.
Other problems have included leaky fuel pipes, earth cables working loose, catalytic-converter issues and wiring-loom chafing that could lead to a short circuit. Wheel bolts not tightened up enough, sub-standard head rests, handbrake glitches and chafing brake hoses were the reasons for further recalls.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
As a niche seller it’s no surprise that the SpaceTourer has never appeared in Driver Power new or used-car surveys. Citroen itself generally doesn’t feature much in our polls, but it does appear in our Brands survey. In 2022 it came 13th out of 29 – a big jump from 28th in 2021. Owners like the practicality and low running costs, but are less enamoured with the infotainment systems and so-so reliability.
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