The star of this week’s Parkers Van Deal is the Vauxhall Combo 1.3 CDTi 16v L1H1 2000, advertised by Loads of Vans. The £7,999 price tag means you will save £6,600 off the recommended price, and £1,000 when compared to a Fiat-badged derivative.
While the current generation of Combo hasn’t quite replicated the success of its predecessor, it’s still a respectable van balancing functionality and practicality with low running costs.
Loading Area
The Combo boasts some impressive dimensions in the back, including class-leading loading height (545mm), rear door aperture (1231mm) and width between the wheel arches (1230mm). Overall load volume is 3.4m³ and the payload, being the lighter 2-tonne variant, is 750kg.
A solid, full height bulkhead is standard, while a side loading door costs £245 to add as an option.
Performance and running costs
Under the bonnet is the renowned 1.3 litre diesel unit which also powers the Corsa and the Astra. While the engine displacement may be a little bemusing, no one is going to argue with the maximum torque output of 200Nm. The only drawback is the lack of power; at 89bhp the Combo is very lacklustre after 1,800rpm.
It’s not too bad on fuel consumption though, returning around 56.5mpg on the combined cycle. Running costs are reduced further by the lengthy service intervals of 21,000 miles or two years.
Aftersales
Vauxhall has just upgraded its 100 strong Premier Van Centres where customers benefit from response to booking requests of less than 20 minutes and operators within 10 miles receive free collection, delivery and a courtesy vehicle.
The Combo is covered by a three year warranty, although Vauxhall has limited it to a disappointing 60,000 miles. The first year however covers limitless mileage.
How it compares
In addition undercutting its sister van, the Fiat Dolbo, it’s also around £3,000 less than the new Transit Connect and £4,000 less than Mercedes-Benz’s Citan. Click here to read the full review on the Combo and click here to view all the latest deals on the Combo.
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