The Citroen Relay is covered by a three-year/100,000-mile warranty with no mileage limit in the first two years. Roadside assistance is included for the first year.
A five-year anti-perforation corrosion warranty and a two-year paintwork warranty form part of the deal too.
Service intervals are set at two years/30,000 miles.
As well as the usual immobiliser, our Relay was protected by a perimetric anti-theft alarm plus a Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking system, which is standard – an excellent move implemented some time ago.
All the doors lock automatically once the vehicle is in motion.
Finally, rubbing strips are fitted to the sides and rear doors to protect them from minor damage and the use of a three-piece front bumper means it will not have to be replaced in its entirety if only one section happens to come to grief.
Citroen Relay 35 L3H2 BlueHDi 130 Enterprise Van
Price (ex VAT) | £28,160 |
Price range (ex VAT) | £21,560-£34,495 |
Gross payload | 1,525kg |
Load length | 3,705mm |
Load width (min/max) | 1,422/1,870mm |
Load bay height | 1,932mm |
Load volume | 13m3 |
Loading height | 535mm |
Rear door aperture | 1,562x1,790mm |
Side door aperture | 1,250x1,755mm |
Gross vehicle weight | 3,500kg |
Braked trailer towing weight | 2,500kg |
Residual value | 18.0%* |
Cost per mile | 53.9p* |
Engine size | 1,997cc, 130hp @ 3,750rpm |
Torque | 350Nm @ 1,750rpm |
Gearbox | 6-speed manual |
Fuel economy | 42.8.mpg (combined) |
Fuel tank | 90 litres |
CO2 | 163g/km |
Warranty | 3yrs/100,000mls |
Service intervals | 2yrs/30,000mls |
Insurance group | 37E |
Price as tested | £28,160 |
* Source: KwikCarcost over 4yrs/80,000mls |
Added Extras: Hardtop (£1,774)
Ford Transit
• Price (ex VAT) £23,120-£39,270
• Load volume 9.5-15.1m3
• Gross payload 872-2,169kg
• Engine 105hp, 130hp, 170hp 2.0 diesel
Not as British as some people seem to think it is, the Transit nonetheless still occupies a special place in the UK van market. Responsive engines and a slick gear change help, as do sharp handling, a sensibly-designed cab and a well-judged package of safety measures. Used values are exemplary while running costs remain competitive.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
• Price (ex VAT) £22,860-£46,930
• Load volume 7.5-17m3
• Gross payload 714-2,510kg
• Engine 112hp, 140hp, 163hp 2.1 diesel, 190hp 3.0 diesel, 156hp 1.8 petrol/cng
It's no accident that supermarket home delivery fleets and parcels companies acquire Sprinters in such large numbers. They recognise that the vehicle's robust construction means that it will stand up to the hammering it will receive in service. To that can be added first-class engines, a high standard of safety and exemplary aftermarket support.
Vauxhall Movano
• Price (ex VAT) £23,345-£38,765
• Load volume 7.8-17.0m3
• Gross payload 920-2,200kg
• Engine 110hp, 130hp, 145hp, 163hp, 170hp 2.3 diesel
For your money you get decent engines, plenty of cargo space, respectable payload capacity and one or two neat design ideas to make the driver's life a bit easier. Bear in mind that although there are some styling differences it shares the same basic design as that of Renault's Master and Nissan's NV400 which may give you some scope to play the three makes off against one another to secure the best deal.