Used family MPVs

The MPV is the car designed around family life. Lots of cabin space, flexible seating, often sliding rear doors and sometimes seven seats. Manufacturers offer fewer of them since SUVs took over, which makes the used market often the best way in.

If you have three or more children, or regularly carry child seats, a pushchair and sports bags, an MPV is still more practical than an SUV of the same size. The load sill is low and the rear seats are easy to reach.

What to check before you buy

• The seats. Fold them, remove them if that's possible, and test every rail. Count the Isofix points you need.
• The sliding doors. Open and close them several times. They should slide without force or noise.
• Interior wear. Family life leaves marks. Compare the state of the steering wheel, seats and pedals with the mileage.
• The Car-Pass. Under two months old and checked with its QR code. Look at the Euro standard too if you drive into Brussels, Antwerp or Ghent.

If you can, bring the whole family to the viewing: it's the best test of space. Then drive for at least 20 minutes, in town and on a fast road. A dealer also gives you one to two years of warranty.