Used Citroen SpaceTourer (Mk1, 2016-date) buyer’s guide: an MPV with room to spare

Verdict

Comfortable, well equipped, roomy and surprisingly good to drive (for what is essentially a van), the Citroen SpaceTourer has the makings of a brilliant family car, especially because asking prices are pretty sensible, too. However, patchy build quality continues to haunt Citroen with the SpaceTourer, so you need to tread with care when buying second-hand. Another significant issue is the fact that the SpaceTourer isn’t that plentiful, and the e-SpaceTourer is particularly unusual; the meagre real-world range and high running costs (in terms of depreciation) of this electric car mean it’s a non-starter for many buyers.

MPVs have long struggled with their image, because they’re often seen as little more than vans with windows. While that’s essentially what the Citroen SpaceTourer is, when you have a load of people to transport and you need space for their luggage too, what’s so terrible about having the most space-efficient shape possible?

When the SpaceTourer burst onto the scene eight years ago, it offered a relatively stylish way of carrying up to nine people, complete with their luggage – something no regular MPV could do. Still on sale all these years later, in some ways the Citroen is as compelling as ever, but if you’re tempted to buy one of these XXL people carriers, read on to see why you need to tread very carefully before buying used.

History

The SpaceTourer reached UK showrooms in early summer 2016, with a choice of two lengths. The shortest was the XS (4.6 metres), followed by the M (4.94m).

In early 2017 the 5.3m XL was added to the range. There was an option of two diesel engines: the 1.6-litre BlueHDi 95 and 115, and the 2.0 BlueHDi 150 and 180.

From October 2019 a BlueHDi 120 unit was added to the range, with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox, then at the end of 2020 came the pure-electric e-SpaceTourer, with a 50kWh battery, along with the 2.0 BlueHDi 145. The latter had six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions. In January 2022 the diesels were axed, leaving only the e-SpaceTourer, which was facelifted inside and out in spring 2024.

Which one should I buy?

Considering how wide the range is in terms of engines, trims and car lengths, there aren’t that many SpaceTourers to choose from on the used market. A mid-range BlueHDi M is what you’ll probably end up with; the e-SpaceTourer is rare, expensive and has a relatively poor range, and is likely to depreciate heavily.

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Whatever you buy, it’ll be well equipped; the entry-level Feel has cruise control, a full-size spare wheel, rear parking sensors, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, dual-zone climate control and a seven-inch touchscreen. The Flair adds a head-up display, blind-spot warning, leather trim, navigation, rear camera, ambient cabin lighting and front parking sensors. The Business Lounge then brings xenon headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, extra soundproofing plus improved heating and ventilation for rows two and three.

Alternatives to the Citroen SpaceTourer

The SpaceTourer is one of three people carriers that differ only in their badging: the Peugeot Traveller and Toyota Proace Verso are the same vehicle. In diesel form, availability for both of these is similar to the Citroen; there are a few e-Travellers available, but you’ll be doing well to find a Proace Verso Electric.

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.

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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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