USED Nissan Primera Estate (02 - 06)

The Primera estate is often overlooked, but as a second-hand car it makes a lot of sense because it feels fresher for longer compared with many of its rivals.

It’s very well screwed together and is mechanically refined. All the engines rev keenly and smoothly, and the controls work with a light, easy precision – although the steering is overly light.

Steering aside, you’ll enjoy the Primera’s taut, tidy handling and it soaks up bumps pretty well at speed. However, around town the ride is a little too firm.

The dashboard, like the styling, may take a little getting used to. The instruments are in a binnacle on top of the centre of the dash – easy to read, but out of your natural line of vision. Still, the car is comfortable, roomy and well equipped, and the luggage bay is an adequate size.

There have been a couple of diesels – initially a 2.2 TD and, on later cars, a better 2.0 dCi – but they command quite a premium, and we don't think they're worth it.

If you’re after a car from mid-2006 onwards, you’ll have to go for the 114bhp 1.8-litre petrol – it remained in the line-up when all the other engines were dropped. It’s willing enough, although you do have to work it hard to make adequate progress.

That’s why we’d go for the 138bhp 2.0-litre petrol model. It has more muscle to flex in everyday driving, yet it's still keen to rev and quiet on a cruise. It’s also not much thirstier than the 1.8 and costs just a little more.

You won’t be short of kit in the S version, but we’d sniff out an SE car for its alloy wheels, electric rear windows and better hi-fi. Top-spec SVE has sat-nav.

In customer satisfaction surveys, running costs are one of the biggest complaints from Primera owners, but they’re really no worse than those of most family estates.

Prices aren’t too steep, although you’ll pay a chunk extra for a diesel version – and that means it only makes sense if you cover lots of miles. The diesels sip their fuel at an official average of 46mpg to 48mpg, which is on a par with their rivals. Go for the 1.8 petrol and you can expect it to return mid 30s with normal use, while the 2.0 typically gives low 30s.

The diesels and 1.8 petrol come in for group 8 insurance, whereas the 2.0 petrol falls into group 10 or 11, depending on its specification.

Typical service costs are likely to be cheaper than for estate versions of the Citroen C5 and on a par with the Ford Mondeo’s.

We’ve heard reports of clutches and turbos causing problems on the 2.2 dCi diesel, and owners also highlight faults with the suspension – a weak area on the previous generation of Primera, too.

Clutch and turbo trouble should be easy to spot on a test drive. As for the suspension, listen for clonks and knocks; be suspicious if there is uneven tyre wear and ensure the car tracks straight, corners tidily and remains firmly consistent over bumps.

Otherwise, the Primera has a reputation for being solidly screwed together. Check all of the electrical kit because, again, that was a problem on the previous Primera, according to claims made by customers of Warranty Direct.

Finally, give the bodywork a close examination. There are no protective rubber side strips, which leaves the bodywork vulnerable to picking up dings in car parks.