Used Fiat Qubo cars for sale

If you're in the market for a mini-MPV which is based on a commercial vehicle then there are a surprisingly large number of options around.

 

While some may feel a little slap-dash in their conversion for consumer use, there are others that make total sense in both forms, because the manufacturer has taken the time to produce a compelling product irrespective of its intended use.

 

The Fiat Qubo definitely falls into the second category and it was launched in 2009 as a family-friendly adaptation of the Fiorino.

 

While the Fiat Qubo for sale is definitely a small car, or rather what the PR people would probably call 'compact', it is not really hampered by its size. Instead it has been cleverly modified to give you maximum usable space and a generally stylish layout inside and out.

 

This robust and affordable mini-MPV is a good used choice if you're looking for practical and funky family motoring.

 

 

Living up to its name, the used Fiat Qubo has a definite cubic style, with a tall, pug-nosed design that means you get plenty of headroom inside while enjoying an easy-to-park setup with wheels right in the corners and only a nub of a bonnet to oversee.

 

The Qubo looks a little like Fiat's popular Panda in some respects, with its integrated roof rails and exterior chunkiness that almost makes it look like a dinky off-roader. It's probably sensible to steer clear of any actual off-roading, but it does give you an idea of how the styling has been handled.

 

Unlike its commercial equivalent the Qubo has plenty of windows and gives you a great view, with all that glass and the elevated driving position making it feel like you are behind the wheel of a much larger car.

 

The boot has a 330 litre capacity when all of the seats are in place, but you can actually pull out the rear row completely opening up that full 2500 litre space that is available to those who have the van version.

 

As well as there being lots of headroom on offer, legroom is also excellent, so adults can jump onboard the Qubo and not find themselves cramped as they might in some other mini-MPVs.

 

Sliding doors on either side at the rear make it simple for people to hop in and out even in tight spaces and there are plenty of nice touches inside that help you completely forget about the commercial origins of this mollified van.

 

 

An early Qubo on a 58 plate might set you back around £5,500, with the 1.4 litre petrol engine version costing up to £1000 less than the 1.3 litre MultiJet diesel-equipped equivalent.

 

 

The used Fiat Qubo for sale shares the same platform as the Citroen Nemo Multispace, so it's sensible to consider the histories of both cars when working out what you should check before buying used.

 

There's not much to report on the mechanical side of things and you might find that these cars are still under the manufacturer's warranty, which should give you confidence.

 

A word of caution on the Qubo's design; a Which? test criticised its Citroen-badged sibling for having a risk of rollover when turning sharply at high speed, although this is an inevitability for any high-sided small car.

 

 

The used Fiat Qubo may be inexpensive to buy, but it's not the cheapest car on the market when you're considering the cost of replacement parts. You'll spend £140 on tyres, £170 on an alternator and £13 apiece for headlamp bulbs.

 

 

Both of the engines deliver about the same amount of power, which means you'll be waiting for 16 seconds before the Qubo hits 60mph from a standing start.

 

This may make it sound a little uninspiring, but the diesel in particular doesn't show its lack of performance prowess when you're actually behind the wheel. Plenty of torque combined with general practicality makes this a great family car for urban use as well as those longer motorway trips.

 

If you're worried about comfort levels, you needn't be, since the Qubo is spacious and soft enough to keep everyone happy, in spite of its rugged origins as a van.