Used Ford Transit Courier for sale: everything you need to know

The Ford Transit Courier is a popular small van, and in its last generation lasted from 2014 until being replaced by an all-new model in 2014. A long production run means plenty of used vans to choose from, and the new model’s debut should help push prices down a little further too.

Based on the Ford Fiesta, you get some familiar Ford engines but also an easy and quite lively driving feel. Load space can’t quite match some rivals but running costs should be low - always a boon when you’ve got a business to run.

The Fiat Fiorino, Citroen Nemo and Peugeot Bipper are the closest equivalents to the Transit Courier (and all largely identical to each other), while the smaller versions of vans like the Renault Kangoo, Citroen Berlingo, and Volkswagen Caddy may also fit your needs.

Should you buy a Ford Transit Courier? 

Ford vans are everywhere and for good reason: they’re affordable to buy and run, you can buy and service them virtually anywhere, and above all, they tend to be pretty good at what they were designed to do, too. The Transit Courier ticks all those boxes, so if you’re shopping for a small van it should be on your shortlist.

As far as the important stuff goes, the Transit Courier can’t quite match some vans in its class for load space, but it’s far from inadequate and options like twin sliding side doors and a feed-through bulkhead liberate extra utility and space.

Entry-level versions can feel a bit like going back in time, but Ford offered a fairly wide range of trim levels so if you don’t fancy sweating all summer or want to avoid clattering into unseen obstacles, then it’s possible to find models with air conditioning and parking sensors. The cabin is well laid out though and pretty comfortable, while again higher-spec models really fill the space with storage cubbies.

The Courier’s compact size is ideal for town work and the petrol and diesel engines do the job too, but it’s the ride and handling where the Courier really shines - being Fiesta-based, it isn’t just agile but also smoother-riding than a lot of small vans too.

The Fiat Fiorino, Citroen Nemo and Peugeot Bipper are all worth considering as alternatives - they’re all basically the same van, and all out-do the Transit Courier for ultimate load volume. For slightly bigger vans that still work in town, the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner duo, the Renault Kangoo and Mercedes Citan, and the Volkswagen Caddy are all worth a look.

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What’s the best used Ford Transit Courier model to buy?

Either of the 100PS engines should do the trick for most buyers, with the petrol being ideal for mainly town-based use (where diesels can’t always operate to their full efficiency, and are subject to mechanical issues from short trips), and the diesel if you plan to go further afield or spend a lot of time sitting on motorways. Both are frugal though - depending on how heavily the van is loaded and how you drive, of course.

Limited spec is where the Courier begins to feel less like a van and more like a car, thanks to a proper touchscreen infotainment system and air conditioning, but if you’re less bothered about those features then the Trend at least avoids feeling too basic, and gets extra storage and a sliding side door. We’d look for a van with the flexible bulkhead too, for handling longer items.

Used Ford Transit Courier fuel economy and performance

• Ford Transit Courier 1.0 Ecoboost 100PS: The 1-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol makes 100PS in the Courier, and while Ford doesn’t publish performance figures, it does claim a combined 53.3mpg.
• Ford Transit Courier 1.5 Duratorq TDCi 75PS: Economy is the main goal of the 75PS 1.5-litre diesel, achieving up to 65.7mpg combined.
• Ford Transit Courier 1.5 Duratorq TDCi 100PS: With no performance figures to fall back on we can’t tell you how much quicker the 100PS diesel is than its 75PS counterpart, but it gets an identical 65.7mpg combined economy figure.

What used Ford Transit Courier trim levels are available?

The Courier was offered in a range of trim levels, from a model that offered only the basics, to a more car-like Limited trim and a Sport variant with larger wheels and a set of stripes up the bonnet. The trims below remained fairly consistent from about 2019 until the latest Transit Courier arrived in 2024, so should be representative of most you’ll find on the market.

• The Ford Transit Courier Leader gets 15-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, a DAB/Bluetooth/USB stereo, and a fixed bulkhead and load bay lighting.
• The Ford Transit Courier Trend adds a sliding side loading door, wheel covers for the 15-inch wheels, front fog lights, electric and heated door mirrors, underseat and overhead storage, a 4-inch colour infotainment display, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, trip computer, and a driver seat armrest.
• The Ford Transit Courier Limited gets 15-inch alloy wheels, full body colour bumpers, auto headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, a 6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control and a speed limiter, and air conditioning.
• The Ford Transit Courier Sport comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, front and rear skid plates, side skirts, red interior stitching, and part-leather seats.

Used Ford Transit Courier dimensions and load capacity

The Ford Transit Courier’s dimensions are:

• Length: 5531-6704mm
• Width: 2059mm (without mirrors), 2474mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 2413mm-2778mm
• Ground clearance: N/A

The Ford Transit Courier’s load capacity is:

• 1.9 cubic metres (VDA), 2.3 cubic metres (SAE)
• 2.4 cubic metres (VDA), 2.6 cubic metres (SAE) with flexible bulkhead
• 530-595kg payload (Ecoboost), 537-581kg (Duratorq 75PS), 519-540kg (Duratorq 100PS)

Used Ford Transit Courier road tax

Vans are charged a flat rate of VED or ‘road tax’, which currently stands at £320 per year. This is of course subject to changes in future government budgets.

How much is it to insure a Ford Transit Courier?

While insurance very much depends on what the van will be used for, it shouldn’t be a huge cost to running a Transit Courier, with a basic 1-litre Ecoboost model starting in group 8, and the Duratorq diesels beginning in group 11.

Read our full Ford Transit Courier review