Fast estate cars from £4k: used buying guide

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)

If ever there was an estate version of a grand tourer, the V70 T5 is it. So forget about hairpins, sink back into those comfortable leather seats and let this big-booted barge smooth away the worries of the world.

With 1641 litres of load space with the rear seats folded, the Volvo will swallow up all the family and their kit, or do airport runs with a baggage allowance-challenging number of suitcases. But when you need it, there’s a 256bhp, turbocharged 2.4-litre fivecylinder engine under the bonnet, ready to get you out of those sticky situations.