Used Volkswagen Multivan for sale: everything you need to know

Volkswagen’s passenger-carrying vans have changed their names a few times over the year, and since 2021 it’s been known as the Multivan. Now in its seventh generation, dubbed ‘T7’, it’s more car-like than ever in terms of the way it drives and the features it offers, but no less van-like in its practicality and space.

Brand new Multivans are very expensive indeed though, which is why a used model may appeal. With the T7 Multivan still being fairly new it’s not what you might call cheap, but it’s possible to save thousands of pounds and still get a van that feels nearly showroom-fresh.

Van-based people carriers like the VW Multivan seem to be enjoying a resurgence of late, and more affordable options include the Ford Tourneo Custom and Citroen SpaceTourer, while the Mercedes-Benz V-Class also operates at the same lofty level as the VW Multivan. All are similarly practical, so your choice comes down to how they drive, which badge you prefer, and how much you’re willing to spend.

Should you buy a Volkswagen Multivan?

It’s a credit to the adaptability of the modern van that they can carry off several roles equally well. If you simply need to move goods from place to place then a panel van will do. Stick some windows in the sides and add a few more seats and it becomes a people-carrier, and swap a few of those seats for a bed, install a small kitchen, and you have a camper van.

The ‘T7’ Volkswagen Transporter is offered in all three forms; there’s the hard-working Transporter itself, the MPV-style Multivan, and the glamorous California camper. The Multivan’s role here is clear: upmarket transport for up to seven people, as much style and comfort as you can squeeze from a van, and a price tag to match.

Buying a used one cuts down on the third factor but you still get space and style. There are seven proper seats, all beautifully trimmed, and the Transporter’s dashboard has been spruced up with materials like leather and woodgrain. The available panoramic sunroof makes the cabin light and airy and the equipment levels are on a par with VW’s regular cars.

The car-based platform helps there, and means the Multivan is also very good to drive - not in a sporty way, obviously, but a slightly van-like ride quality aside, it’s certainly about as car-like as these vehicles get. A wide engine range of petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrids gives you options too.

The main problem is expense, but picking up a nearly-new Multivan can save you thousands. If you need something more affordable though, look to alternative models like the Ford Tourneo Custom (which drives well but feels less upscale than the VW) or the Citroen SpaceTourer. Don’t discount the older Volkswagen Caravelle either, which wasn’t quite as fancy but is equally practical and much more affordable.

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What’s the best used Volkswagen Multivan model to buy?

As the Volkswagen Multivan is fairly new the choice of used models is somewhat restricted as we write this. While in our full review we recommend the 2.0 TSI and the 2.0 TDI - the former for its performance and the latter for its economy - it’s the 1.4 eHybrid that you’ll find most frequently on the used market, and some relatively healthy savings take the sting out of its high pricing. For silent running when you’re out and about or efficient local commuting, it’s an appealing choice.

We’ve no real preference in terms of trim level since both are so well equipped, and the additions in the higher-specified Style are nice to have, rather than essential. As for body length, this will come down to your luggage capacity needs, though even the Standard length is very spacious.

Used Volkswagen Multivan fuel economy and performance

• Volkswagen Multivan 1.4 eHybrid 218: The plug-in hybrid Multivan combines a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and 13kWh battery pack. The sole transmission is a six-speed DSG automatic, and combined output is 218PS, enough for 0-62mph in 9 seconds in either body length. 29.8 miles of EV range in normal conditions help it to combined economy of up to 156.9mpg.
• Volkswagen Multivan 1.5 TSI 136: With a larger engine but no hybrid assistance the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol makes 136PS through a seven-speed DSG automatic. 0-62mph takes 12.2 seconds and it’ll do up to 35.3mpg combined.
• Volkswagen Multivan 2.0 TSI 204: Only available in Style trim, the 2.0 TSI makes 204PS from a 2-litre turbocharged petrol and through a seven-speed DSG auto gearbox. It matches the eHybrid with a 9-second 0-62mph time, with up to 31.4mpg combined economy.
• Volkswagen Multivan 2.0 TDI 150: The sole diesel is VW’s venerable 150PS TDI, fitted with a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard. It gets from 0-62mph in 11.6 seconds, with combined economy of up to 43.5mpg.

What used Volkswagen Multivan trim levels are available?

Long gone are the days when Volkswagen’s passenger-focused vans were simply slightly nicer work vehicles. The Multivan’s specification list is more closely aligned with its cars and in some ways it’s more appealing too. The Multivan has two trim levels, each comprehensively equipped and, new or used, what some companies might have described as “reassuringly expensive” in the past.

• The Volkswagen Multivan Life gets 16-inch alloy wheels (17 inches on the eHybrid), LED headlights, privacy glass, seven seats, two-tone fabric trim, air conditioning with a pre-heater, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital driver display, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors.
• The Volkswagen Multivan Style has all the kit of the Life but adds 30-colour ambient lighting, two-tone microfleece seat trim, woodgrain-style dashboard inserts, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, three-zone climate control, electric sliding doors and an electric tailgate, a heated windscreen, matrix LED headlights, keyless entry and start, and 17-inch wheels regardless of engine.

Used Volkswagen Multivan dimensions and boot size

The Volkswagen Multivan’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4973mm (Standard), 5173mm (Long)
• Width: 1941mm (without mirrors), 2252mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1907mm
• Ground clearance: 152mm

The Volkswagen Multivan’s boot size is:

• 1.7 cubic metres (Standard), 1.9 cubic metres (Long)
• 3.3 cubic metres (Standard, seats folded), 3.5 cubic metres (Long, seats folded)

Used Volkswagen Multivan road tax

While it’s a van at heart, the Multivan is registered as a passenger vehicle and is therefore subject to regular car-based tax rates. That means a CO2-based system in the year of registration and then a fixed rate thereafter - and given the Multivan’s high pricing, that also means a surcharge for the second to the sixth years of registration, for a £570 yearly bill (or £560 for the plug-in eHybrid).

How much is it to insure a Volkswagen Multivan?

Insurance groups for the Volkswagen Multivan range from 23 to 38. You’ll find a 1.5 TSI in Life trim towards the bottom end of that scale, and a long-wheelbase eHybrid in Style trim at the top. Clearly, some will be more expensive to insure than others, and that’s a lot more than something like a Peugeot Traveller too, which goes from group 11 to 24.

Read our full Volkswagen Multivan review