Used Fiat Ducato for sale: everything you need to know

The Fiat Ducato is the Italian marque’s largest panel van, and like many vans on the market, it’s not a standalone product but one co-developed with several other brands - in this case, the Ducato’s equivalents include the Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Relay, Vauxhall Movano, and Toyota Proace Max.

While this means you won’t find much variety in the market, it helps keep costs down for van buyers and means that engines or technology offered on one van are more than likely to be offered in all its equivalents. That’s why the Ducato is yet another van available now with an electric variant, just like several of its cousins.

Essentially, buying a van like the Ducato comes down to your individual needs from a van, and to brand preference and small differences in features. If one of the vans already mentioned doesn’t meet your needs, then the Ducato’s rivals from other carmakers include the Ford Transit, Volkswagen Crafter, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Should you buy a Fiat Ducato?

The Fiat Ducato has long been a popular van in the European market - the nameplate has been around since 1981 in fact, and today’s model is only the van’s third generation, albeit heavily revised several times since it debuted in 2006. It’s just had another update in late 2023, though there will still be plenty of examples of the pre-facelift model for sale in the used market, which will be similar in most key ways to the very latest vans.

The Ducato is one member of a large family of vans that includes models from Citroen, Peugeot, Toyota, and Vauxhall, and unsurprisingly all five are quite similar under the skin, up to and including their three body length and roof height options, and the availability of an electric model - in the Fiat’s case, badged e-Ducato, and offered with its own trim lines. There are, of course, versions with extra seats and windows, and chassis cab vans also available - though we’re concentrating on the conventional panel van here.

The Ducato is a very good option. The latest vans get extra electronic safety systems that earlier versions may not have, but the basic van has plenty going for it. The 2.2-litre diesel engines (not used by all vans in this family) are strong and both the manual and automatic gearboxes do their job well.

All Ducatos get a three-seat interior layout as standard, with plenty of storage and a satisfyingly chunky aesthetic, though not all look as flashy inside as the latest models with their optional 7-inch touchscreen displays. The range of body styles on offer means plenty of choice for cargo capacity too.

If the Ducato and its equivalents don’t fit your needs, then alternatives in the large van market include the ubiquitous Ford Transit and Volkswagen Crafter, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Renault Master. Equipment, payloads and body styles vary, but all drive well and offer increasing levels of luxury in newer variants.

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What’s the best used Fiat Ducato model to buy?

As with most vans, you can expect a used Fiat Ducato to have lived quite a life already, so we’d always advise that you buy on condition and history rather than necessarily seeking out the ideal trim level or engine - though below you can read about the current engines and trim levels to help you decide, and with the electric-powered e-Ducato at least, the eTecnico trim level does add a few desirable features that might make your day to day driving slightly more pleasant. Choosing a particular power output, wheelbase length or roof height will depend on the needs of your business.

Used Fiat Ducato fuel economy and performance

• Fiat Ducato 2.2 Multijet 120: All current Ducato engines are based around a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel unit. The entry-level engine develops 120PS and comes as standard with a manual transmission. Fiat hasn’t yet published economy figures, and no performance figures are listed.
• Fiat Ducato 2.2 Multijet 140: Next up is a 140PS variant of the same engine, with a standard manual gearbox or optional 9-speed auto. With the manual it’s good for up to 35.7mpg and with the automatic, up to 29.7mpg.
• Fiat Ducato 2.2 Multijet 180: The most powerful Multijet engine develops 180PS and again has both manual and automatic gearbox options. Fiat quotes up to 34.4mpg for the manual, and 31mpg for the auto.
• Fiat e-Ducato: Using a 122PS electric motor and either a 47kWh or 79kWh battery pack, the e-Ducato is good for a 62mph top speed, while Fiat quotes a 0-30mph time (note, not 0-62mph!) of six seconds. Range is up to 108 miles combined or 146 miles in city driving for the smallest, lightest e-Ducato with the 47kWh battery, and 175-230 miles for the same situations with the larger battery.

What used Fiat Ducato trim levels are available?

The trim levels listed below represent the Ducato range at its most recent update in 2023. Prior to this there may have been other trim levels available with different levels of equipment, but this should give you an idea of the general level of kit offered in the Ducato.

• The Fiat Ducato Standard is the sole trim option in the regular Ducato range. It comes with air conditioning, cruise control with a speed limiter, a 5-inch touchscreen unit with Bluetooth and USB, electric heated door mirrors, 15-inch steel wheels, parking sensors, a driver’s airbag, and a perimeter alarm.
• The Fiat e-Ducato Standard features the same level of equipment as the combustion Standard specification, but upgrades to automatic climate control and gets a driver’s armrest. A 7kW charger is standard, and an 11kW charger optional.
• The Fiat e-Ducato eTecnico gets a larger, 7-inch touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear parking camera, front fog lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and reverse parking sensors. The 11kW onboard charger is standard in eTecnico trim.

Used Fiat Ducato dimensions and boot size

The Fiat Ducato’s dimensions are:

• Length: 5413mm (M), 5998mm (L), 6363mm (XL)
• Width: 2050mm (without mirrors)
• Height: 2254mm (H1), 2524mm (H2), 2779mm (H3)

The Fiat Ducato’s load capacity is:

• 10 cubic metres (MH1)
• 11.5 cubic metres (MH2)
• 13 cubic metres (LH2)
• 15 cubic metres (XLH2)
• 17 cubic metres (XLH3)

Used Fiat Ducato road tax

Fiat Ducato models rated for up to 3500kg gross weight are subject to the same flat rate of VED or ‘road tax’, like all equivalent vans, a figure that currently stands at £320 per year for the 2023/2024 tax year. Heavy-duty models are actually a little cheaper, currently standing at £165 over a year, while electric e-Ducato variants are currently free to tax.

How much is it to insure a Fiat Ducato?

Fiat doesn’t currently list insurance groups for the Ducato, in common with several other vans on the market. Given the huge variety in body styles, the different engine variations, and the enormous number of different use cases for vans, we would suggest getting quotes from an insurance broker for any van you might be considering.

Read our full Fiat Ducato review