Fast estate cars from £4k: used buying guide

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The 272bhp twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel, mated to a six-speed auto ’box, makes it rapid, too. Models in M Sport spec have an overly firm ride, although the pay-off is that they look better than other trims.

Few major reliability issues have been reported. For £14,995, you can get a 2008 535d Touring M Sport with 45,000 miles on the clock.

3 - Mercedes-Benz C 350 CDI Estate (2008-2014)

The previous-generation C-Class strikes a great balance between sportiness and comfort. Dynamically, it matches most of what a BMW 3 Series has to offer, but with a smoother, more cosseting ride.

The 3.0-litre diesel C 350 CDI is refined, with a V6 growl, and promises 0-60mph in 6.3sec, while the seven-speed auto ’box delivers slick shifts. Inside, there’s room for five occupants and, with the rear seats down, 1354 litres of space, accessed by a powered tailgate.

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The dashboard is a little bland, but the optional folding sat-nav adds a touch of pizzazz. This C-Class should prove to be reliable, too. A 2010 Sport with 53,000 miles on the clock can be yours for £13,000.

4 - Ford Mondeo 2.5 Titanium X Sport (2007-2014)

To many, the estate version of Ford’s excellent Mondeo is a better-looking car than the saloon or hatch. The rear seats split 60/40, folding flat to create a huge load bay with a 1733-litre capacity.

The Mondeo Estate handles well, with plenty of front-end grip and little body roll, yet it remains composed and comfortable. The five-cylinder Focus ST-sourced engine adds a dose of fun to the package, with its 216bhp output translating into a 0-60 time of 7.6sec.

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To date, the Mondeo has proved pretty reliable, and being a Ford, it shouldn’t be too costly to fix if something does go wrong. We found a 2009 Titanium Sport with 72,000 miles on the clock for sale at £7995.

5 - Volvo V70 T5 (2000-2007)