Used Citroen Berlingo First review and buying guide (2002 to 2011): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Citroen Berlingo First should you buy?

No particular year stands out, because the Berlingo First was one model from 2002 to 2011 and the fault that decides a purchase runs from 2004 right to the end: on the 16-valve 1.6 HDi diesel, carbon clogs the pipe that feeds oil to the turbo until the turbo fails. Whatever the year, a diesel's history matters more than its age, so favour the van with receipts for turbo and oil feed work.

There isn't much to go on beyond that diesel fault. Nothing points to any other engine being better or worse, and a lack of complaints isn't the same as reliability. What does separate one van from another is recall work: a run of recalls in 2009 and 2010 covered the airbag, a seat belt and the rear suspension among other things, so the van with those jobs signed off is the better buy.

Which Berlingo First engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The 1.6 HDi diesel is the only engine there's real evidence on, and it cuts both ways. It's got keen performance for a small van, but on the 16-valve version from 2004 to 2011 carbon builds up in the turbo's oil feed pipe until the bearings run short and the turbo fails, often around 100,000 miles and sometimes as early as 30,000.

That makes the oil feed the deciding question on any HDi. If a new turbo's been fitted, ask whether the feed pipe was replaced at the same time, since a fresh turbo still depends on that pipe for its oil. The HDi also came with either Siemens or Bosch injection and engine management, and it's the Siemens setup that's had problems, not the Bosch one.

Don't expect a quiet cruiser either: the diesel's noisier than newer vans once you're up to motorway speed. There's nothing to go on for the gearbox or any other engine, so there's no evidence to back one over another; judge those on how the van drives and on receipts for what's been done to it.

What should you check when viewing a used Berlingo First?

On a diesel, the turbo comes first: listen for a whine or whistle as it spools up, and watch for flat acceleration, limp mode, or blue or grey smoke out the back. One owner's 113,000-mile 2004 diesel lost power, juddered and blew black smoke, so don't wave off smoke of any colour or a jerky pull. Ask for receipts for any turbo or oil feed pipe work.

Make sure the airbag warning light goes out once the engine's running. The wiring to the airbag can rub through where it runs along the steering column, and a lit warning light is an MoT failure. It's sometimes wrongly blamed on the airbag control unit, so if the light's ever been on, ask what was actually replaced and whether anyone looked at the wiring.

Ask for proof the recall work was done. Recalls issued in 2009 and 2010 covered ball mounts on the tailgate struts that could fail and stop it shutting, a roof flap that could come off, passenger airbag wiring that could stop it firing, a loose rear shock absorber, a heat shield dropping off the spare wheel carrier, and a seat belt on the left side that could come adrift in a crash.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What do Berlingo First owners like about them?

It's a compact van that doesn't feel cramped, with decent room in the cab and a comfortable ride for something built to carry loads. There's plenty of storage around the cab too, so the odds and ends of a working day have somewhere to go rather than sliding about on the dashboard.

The load bay's a practical shape that'll swallow a Euro pallet without a fight, so it's a proper working van despite its size. On the road it handles tidily for a van, which means a day of driving between jobs never feels like a chore.

• This compact van offers good value, providing decent interior space and comfort for its class.
• The practical load bay can easily accommodate a Euro pallet or carry loads up to 600kg.
• The well-equipped cabin provides a good amount of standard features and numerous storage options.
• The 1.6-litre HDi turbodiesel engine delivers strong performance, complementing the comfortable ride and good driving characteristics.