Used Mercedes-Benz Citan for sale: everything you need to know

If the Mercedes-Benz Citan looks familiar to you, then you might have seen through its disguise. Like several vans on the market in various sizes, the Citan is actually French under the skin, specifically a Renault Kangoo.

The first-generation Citan, the model we’re covering here, was sold between 2012 and 2021, before being replaced by an all-new (and also Renault-based) successor. Don’t think Mercedes just slapped on some of its own badges though - the brand actually made quite a few changes, while panel van and MPV-style Tourer variants, plus three wheelbase lengths depending on the age of the van you’re looking at, give you options on the used market.

The Citan was designed to rival other compact vans like the Volkswagen Caddy, Ford Transit Connect, and the Citroen Berlingo, and all are worthy alternatives - vans are far better than they used to be, and the latest models are as appealing as they are useful.

Should you buy a Mercedes-Benz Citan? 

If you’re a long-time buyer of Mercedes-Benz vans then the Citan’s similarity to a Renault might put you off - however good Renault is at building vans. You shouldn’t be put off though as not only is the Kangoo a good van in its own right, but Mercedes really did do a lot to make the Citan feel like a Mercedes, and it fits neatly into the range alongside the Vito and Sprinter as a result.

Maybe not in the interior though, where it does still feel quite Renault-like, right down to the curious aircraft throttle-style handbrake. We’re less a fan of that than the high-mounted gearshift, but the Citan’s real strength is in its three body lengths, with a sub-4m ‘L1’ being ideal for light work and local deliveries, while larger L2 and L3 wheelbases, plus a five-seat Tourer using the middle length, cover a range of uses.

The Citan drives well, with particular highlights being refinement - one area Mercedes worked hard on - and decent pace in all but the least powerful 108 CDI, which is better for urban work, if not as good as the petrol. The 108 CDI, the 112 petrol, and the L1 wheelbase were all discontinued later in the Citan’s run though, so may be harder to find on the used market.

It was a little expensive new, probably not unrelated to the badge on the nose, but as a used van you can find relatively recent models for several thousands of pounds less than they were new. Examples of the updated 2021-on Citan are also beginning to filter onto the market, and those really do feel more like a Mercedes than a Renault.

The Kangoo itself is an obvious alternative to the Citan, but if it’s the German image you’re after, then the Volkswagen Caddy should be high up your shopping list. The Ford Transit Connect is another option (and a fine drive), while the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner have long been strong sellers in this class.

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What’s the best used Mercedes-Benz Citan model to buy?

We’ll say here what we say with every van: The best model to buy is the one that best suits your needs. There’s not as much choice in the Citan range as in some bigger vans but with three wheelbase lengths (each offering different load capacities) and a five-seater variant, there’s enough choice here to cover most needs, whether commercial or private.

The only thing you might be lacking compared to some rivals is a better-equipped model, nor a fancy campervan version. There are two engines though, or to be more specific, a diesel in three states of tune, and a petrol, depending on which year of Citan you’re looking at. The petrol is a great urban choice, being quiet and smooth, while the 111 CDI does the business on the motorway.

Used Mercedes-Benz Citan fuel economy and performance

• Mercedes-Benz Citan 108 CDI: Offered earlier in the Citan’s run, the basic diesel made 75PS from a 1.5-litre turbodiesel, and had a five-speed manual transmission. There are no performance figures but combined fuel consumption was up to 67.3mpg.
• Mercedes-Benz Citan 109 CDI: The 109 CDI used the same 1.5-litre Renault-sourced turbodiesel four-cylinder, but made 94PS through a standard six-speed manual gearbox (five speed in earlier cars). Mercedes didn’t quote performance figures but did claim up to 62.8mpg combined in Pure spec and with the shorter body length.
• Mercedes-Benz Citan 111 CDI: Effectively the same engine in a higher state of tune again, the 111 CDI made 114PS, and in the same body format as the 109 CDI, had combined consumption of 61.4mpg.
• Mercedes-Benz Citan 112: The 1.2-litre petrol Citan produced 114PS and had a six-speed manual gearbox. We can’t tell you how fast it was, but Mercedes claimed up to 46.3mpg combined.

What used Mercedes-Benz Citan trim levels are available?

The Citan was offered in just two trim lines and beyond the original buyer being able to specify the two engines mentioned above, the choice was fairly restrictive. The Pure was sold as a panel van only and offered in three body and wheelbase lengths (two in later models), while the Pro was only sold as the five-seat Tourer, and in the middle ‘L2’ body/wheelbase.

• The Mercedes-Benz Citan Pure was panel van only and came with central locking, a driver’s airbag, a sheet steel partition to the load area, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, twin 180-degree rear unglazed doors, cruise control with a speed limiter, and a Bluetooth, MP3 and DAB radio.
• The Mercedes-Benz Citan Pro was specific to the five-seat glazed Tourer models, which included all the equipment from the Pure plus a three-way splitting rear bench, interior panelling in the rear, a passenger airbag and seat airbags, and glazed rear doors with wash-wipe.

Used Mercedes-Benz Citan dimensions and load capacity

The Mercedes-Benz Citan’s dimensions are:

• Length: 3937mm (L1), 4321mm (L2), 4705mm (L3)
• Width: 1829mm (without mirrors), 2138mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1810mm (L1) 1809mm (L2 Tourer), 1816mm (L2 panel van) 1839mm (L3)
• Ground clearance: 148mm (L2), 153mm (L3)

The Mercedes-Benz Citan’s load capacity is:

• 2.4 cubic metres (L1 panel van)
• 3.1 cubic metres (L2 panel van)
• 3.8 cubic metres (L3 panel van)

Used Mercedes-Benz Citan road tax

As a van the Mercedes-Benz Citan attracts a single, flat rate of Vehicle Excise Duty. For the 2023-2024 tax year that rate will currently set you back £320 per year, though this is subject to change when the Treasury reveals the next tax year’s figures.

How much is it to insure a Mercedes-Benz Citan?

Mercedes-Benz doesn’t list insurance group data for the Citan, but as with most vans, actual real-world insurance costs will vary significantly depending on the nature of your business, your location, and various other factors. We’d recommend speaking to a broker to choose cover appropriate for your use.

Read our full Mercedes-Benz Citan review