what should l look out for? what is a reasonable price? (3 owners from new, only 45000 miles)

Service history is a must, u need to check when the cambelt is due for a change - if it is 48k then u will have a large bill coming up soon. Check all the usuals - tyres, brakes, rust e.t.c.
Road tax costs will be going up with this vehicle:
2008 = £170, 2009 = £260, 2010 = £270

If u can find it the 2.0 hdi model is a better bet - the engine is not as crude as the 1.9

Price for 1.9d 52 plate is between £1900 & £3400
Price for 2.0hdi 52 plate is £2300 to £4200

as above..plus watch for smoke on hard acceleration..

l assume u mean a Partner Combi rather than the van version.
l expect they will be asking £3,300 +, & u should pay £2,900.
It should not need a timing belt yet (not due till 60,000), so just a history & general condition.
There r plenty about, & it is identical, but not as well equipped, to a Citroen Berlingo Multispace, so use this as a bargaining point.

See here for further info;
http://honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=552&
and what to look out for here;
http://honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=62&

l would avoid the peugeot 1.9 diesel engine its very slow and struggles to pull a load well.
If that is not put you off when you are looking at the partner make sure you check all the electrical items work correctly ie, wipers, lights, heater blower, indicators, radio etc as the Bsi units that controls all the electrics are prone to failures.

The 1.9 XUD engine used in this vehicle is one of the strongest engines on the road. Next time u see an old Peugeot taxi, (should not be too difficult to find,) have a look at the oddometer. l used to reguarly look after 405/406/Xantia taxis with 300,000+ miles on the clock still in daily use with no issues.

Servicing plays no small part in engine longevity though, & this engine is no exception. This engine with a good service history should however give trouble free ownership for many (hundreds) of thousands of miles.

However, as said it is essentially the same XUD that rolled out of PSA in the late 1970's, bulletproof but its hardly quick. Turbocharged versions r rather torquey & can almost be surprisingly pacey. However l fear this will be a natrually aspirated version, delivering a rather tame 75BHP. Put a load in the back & u will suddenly yearn for the HD l version with 90BHP, & enough torque to get mildy excited about.

The HD l engine is strong, sharing some parts with the old XUD, but being a common-rail D l engine, as apposed to the tried & tested rotary pumped ID l XUD there is ultimately more to go wrong. That said the HD l does manage around another 10MPG.

l know this is just about the engine, but it depends if u want longevity & cheap servicing over pace & moderity.

The best bet would be a 1.9TD, however l think this was abonded by PSA before 2002, as it allowed PSA to keep the 1.9D as the basic engine, & the HD l as the more upmarket counterpart.

Hope this helps.