Citroen Nemo
Used Car Review

Overview

Looking for a practical small van that won’t break the bank? The Citroen Nemo might be exactly what you need. This compact commercial vehicle offers impressive cargo space in a city-friendly package, making it perfect for tradespeople, small business owners, or anyone needing to move goods regularly. It’s the van for people who want maximum practicality without the bulk of larger commercial vehicles.

From its launch in 2008, the Nemo carved out a solid reputation in the competitive small van market. Its boxy design prioritises function over form, offering genuine utility in its class. The high driving position gives you excellent visibility, while the compact dimensions make navigating tight city streets surprisingly easy. You get the sense that this is a vehicle built for real-world work.

Driving the Nemo is a straightforward, no-nonsense experience. The diesel engines are frugal and reliable, keeping your running costs low while providing enough torque for everyday hauling duties. It handles predictably and offers a comfortable ride quality that makes long days behind the wheel less tiring. While it may not win beauty contests, the Nemo excels where it matters most delivering dependable service day after day. For the price, you’re getting a genuinely useful tool that just happens to have wheels.

What's the Citroen Nemo Like to Drive?

The Citroen Nemo prioritises efficiency and reliability over outright performance. The 1.4 HDi diesel engine produces around 68 horsepower, which might sound modest but provides adequate pulling power for its intended role. Around town, it feels responsive enough for stop-start driving and light loads. The engine note is typical of small diesels, but it settles down to a reasonable hum at cruising speeds.

Where the Nemo truly excels is in its practicality as a working small van. The steering is light and direct, making parking in tight spaces effortless. The suspension is tuned for load carrying rather than sporty handling, which means it copes well with uneven surfaces and provides a stable platform when fully loaded. The ride quality is surprisingly comfortable for a commercial vehicle, reducing driver fatigue on longer journeys. You get the feeling of a well-engineered workhorse that’s built to handle daily use without complaint.

Inside the Citroen Nemo: Comfort & Features

Step inside the Nemo and you’ll find a surprisingly pleasant cabin for a budget commercial vehicle. The dashboard layout is simple and functional, with clearly marked controls that are easy to operate even while wearing work gloves. The materials are hard-wearing plastics designed to withstand daily abuse rather than impress with luxury touches. Everything feels solid and built to last, which is exactly what you want in a working vehicle.

The driver’s seat offers decent comfort and reasonable adjustment range for most body sizes. The high driving position provides excellent all-round visibility, making it easy to judge distances when manoeuvring in tight spaces. Road and wind noise are well controlled for this class of vehicle, creating a relatively peaceful environment for longer journeys. Storage solutions throughout the cabin are thoughtfully designed, with plenty of cubbyholes for paperwork, tools, and personal items. The overall impression is of a no-nonsense workspace that prioritises practicality over luxury.

The Citroen Nemo succeeds by focusing on the essentials that matter to commercial vehicle buyers. It offers genuine utility, excellent fuel economy, and rock-bottom running costs in a package that’s easy to drive and park. The cabin is more comfortable than you might expect, while the diesel engine provides adequate performance with impressive efficiency. Build quality is solid rather than spectacular, but perfectly adequate for the price point.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Citroen Nemo?

The Nemo’s greatest strength lies in its exceptionally low running costs. The efficient diesel engine regularly returns over 60 miles per gallon in real-world driving, keeping fuel bills to a minimum even with high mileage use. Insurance costs are typically low due to its classification as a commercial vehicle, though this varies depending on your specific business use. Servicing costs are reasonable, with parts readily available from Citroen dealers and independent specialists.

The initial purchase price represents excellent value in the used market. Second-hand Nemos can be found from around £3,000 for higher mileage examples, making them accessible to small businesses and sole traders. Depreciation has already done most of its damage, meaning you’re unlikely to lose much money if you need to sell. With car finance options available, the Nemo becomes an even more attractive proposition for businesses looking to manage cash flow while acquiring reliable transport.

Is the Citroen Nemo Practical for Everyday Use?

For a small van, the Nemo offers impressive load carrying capability. The 2.8 cubic metre cargo area can swallow a surprising amount of equipment, tools, or goods. The rear doors open wide and the loading lip is relatively low, making it easy to slide heavy items in and out. The maximum payload of 660 kilograms is generous for this size of vehicle, allowing you to carry substantial loads without exceeding weight limits.

The Nemo’s compact external dimensions are a major advantage in urban environments. At just over 4 metres long, it fits into standard parking spaces and can navigate narrow streets that would challenge larger vans. For small businesses, tradespeople, or delivery services operating in city centres, this combination of compact size and decent capacity hits the sweet spot. Like other used Citroen cars, it offers practical French engineering at an affordable price point.

The Citroen Nemo stands out in the small van market by delivering exceptional practicality and economy at a bargain price. It combines generous cargo space, impressive fuel efficiency, and low running costs in a compact package that’s genuinely useful for real-world commercial applications. While it may not offer the refinement of passenger cars, it excels in the areas that matter most to business users.

You choose the Nemo because you need a reliable tool that won’t let you down or empty your wallet. Its straightforward design, efficient diesel engine, and excellent load capacity make every working day more productive. It’s perfectly suited for urban deliveries, trade work, or small business operations where economy matters more than prestige. If you’re looking for affordable commercial transport that simply gets the job done, the Nemo should be on your shortlist, especially with cars under £10,000 offering excellent value.