A used Lamborghini Urus is a surprisingly sound financial decision

Build and material quality aren't quite a match for the Bentayga, but if you're happy with the sort of finish you get in a top-line Audi, then you won't be disappointed and the Urus can do all the light offroading and towing (up to 3500kg) that makes the Bentley so versatile.

In 2023, the final year for the pure-petrol Urus, the range was updated and split between the S model and the Performante. The S was more luxurious than before, and in Lamborghini speak nothing is more opulent than being able to overtake with ease, so power was boosted to a devilish 666 PS that's 657bhp. Suspension tweaks meant Comfort mode now gave levels of refinement almost on a par with a Mercedes S-Class if you avoided the optional 23in wheels.

The Performante took the same powertrain and added lots of carbonfibre (for the aesthetics, not the weight-saving). It was slightly lower, too, and it handled a little better as a result, but it sacrificed some of the well-roundedness that made the Urus such a crowdpleaser. We would stick with standard or an S for the best balance of performance and comfort.

What to look out for

Servicing: There might be a Volkswagen Touareg lurking somewhere deep underneath, but that raging bull badge means maintenance costs are inevitably much higher. We were quoted £1850 from an independent specialist for a basic first-year, 9000-mile service, which covered an oil change and filters. The recommended second-year service adds engine coolant, brake fluid and spark plugs to the to-do list, while the third-year seeing-to includes gearbox oil. The cycle then repeats. Don't buy one without a full service history from a main dealer or recognised specialist.

Brakes: The Urus is a big, heavy car, and that's reflected in its voracious appetite for brake components. The 440mm standard carbon-ceramic front discs are larger than a Bugatti Veyron's and cost £25,000 for a set of four. The pads should be changed every 25,000 miles and a set costs £2000. Make sure there is decent life left on the brakes before buying, or use that as a bargaining chip.

Tyres: With big rims come lots of rubber. Wheels range in size from 21in to 23in, and the surrounding rubber will cost about £2000 every 8000 miles. That is for the L-branded Pirellis; anything else is likely to trigger a warning light.

Paint: Lots of Uruses will have been crashed, so look out for poor paint jobs on hard-to-match colours.

Warranty: There have been few reliability issues reported, but nevertheless a warranty is always reassuring. The standard warranty is three years and without a mileage limit, but keep an eye out for cars with an extended Lamborghini warranty for up to 10 years and 62,000 miles.

Also worth knowing

There are no trim levels as such, but there are desirable options you might fancy. The 14-way 'comfort' seats are superior to the standard eight-way items; leather on the dash helps lift the ambience of the cabin; and the panoramic sunroof is desirable, as are Bang & Olufsen speakers and Pirelli P Zero tyres.

Performante cars are also differentiated by their steel springs (instead of air suspension) and optional P Zero Trofeo semi-slick tyres. That's a big sacrifice in usability for 47kg of weight-saving, and it feels a bit much in the real world.