Peugeot 207 Van (07 on) - Review

Vans of this size are never going to be capable of carrying much cargo, but then they aren’t meant to. A lot of users will require nothing more than the 1.1 cubic metres of loadspace on offer nor indeed the 450kg of payload. The floor in the rear is the wipe clean variety and the load cover is a definite bonus as it will hide cargo from prying eyes. There are six load-lashing eyes to keep freight in place, but there is also a sizeable lip under the tail-gate which means that loads can’t be slid in and out.

Top marks to Peugeot for making side airbags part of the standard package but it's a pity they didn’t add traction control too. The load cover is worth having even if it does feature as an option. But while an engine immobiliser comes as standard, an alarm costs extra, which seems a bit mean. A half-height bulkhead is standard but it won’t stop heavy weights flying forwards in the event of a crash. A full height bulkhead is a paid-for extra.

Prices undercut both the Vauxhall Corsavan and Ford Fiesta van, so buyers will find the 207 van a very cheap vehicle to run. The HDi common rail diesel engines are legendary for their frugality and longevity so expect few problems (as long as the vehicle has been serviced properly) and anything up to 60mpg in fuel economy. Insurance groups are also a pleasantly low 3 and 4.

We've heard no horror stories so far about this van or indeed its predecessor. In diesel guise, we’d back it for a good 250,000 miles. However, a word of warning must be given about the petrol variant. Many will have been converted for LPG use to avoid the London congestion charge and as Peugeot doesn’t do its own conversions, they’ll be the aftermarket variety, which vary hugely in quality. Extreme care must be taken in buying one of these vehicles because if they go wrong, Peugeot could well turn round and refuse to honour the three-year warranty.