Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 10 September

The generation of Range Rover we’re considering here ran from 2001 to 2012 and was conceived by BMW during its ownership of Land Rover. The model was then brought to fruition by Ford, which acquired the company in 2000. Fortunately, the new owners shared BMW’s vision of a Range Rover for the 21st century. It was the first to be built with a monocoque structure and the first to have independent suspension.

A neighbour of mine has one that he’s owned for at least 10 years. He has two other cars, both newish BMWs, but can’t bring himself to part with it. He uses it most days but, as far as I can tell, never cleans it. Even so, it still looks classy and imposing, while its cream leather interior could be straight out of a Bentley.

There are lots of Range Rovers like it in the classifieds, starting from as low as £1500 for a one-owner 2004- reg 3.0 TD6 with 170,000 miles. They stop at around £30,000 for a 2012-reg 5.0 V8 Autobiography with 55,000 miles. We’ve plumped for something in the middle: a 2010-reg 3.6 TD V8 Vogue with 61,000 miles for £14,995.

It is being offered by a private seller so is sold as seen with no guarantees. That makes it quite a risky purchase, except that cars from 2010 had had most of the faults that plagued earlier models, including unreliable automatic gearboxes and troublesome front diffs and driveshafts, ironed out. In any case, it’s an opportunity to meet the current owner and gauge how they’ve driven and looked after it. On that point, it has a full service history. Haggle hard and you’ll have a Range Rover to be proud of.

Mazda 6 MPS, £7995

This harmless-looking fleet hack can crack 0-62mph in 6.6sec thanks to its 254bhp 2.3-litre turbo engine and four-wheel drive. Add a close-ratio ’box and sports suspension and you have a special saloon. Our spot is a cherished 2007-reg with 60k miles.

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Vignale Auto AWD Estate, £14,500

Vignale has been a brand-stretch too far for Ford but used ones look more tempting. Ones like this privately advertised 2015-reg Mondeo with 58k miles. But we also found a dealer-advertised 2015-reg Titanium X with 40k miles for £14,000. So haggle.