Superb by name... How to buy Skoda's great estate for £2500

Most Mk3s are equipped with the Volkswagen Group's familiar 2.0-litre TDI with 148bhp. It's a willing unit with a useful amount of torque and decent refinement; the 1.6-litre diesel and 1.4-litre petrol both lack muscle for a car of this size.

For more punch, the near-200bhp 2.0-litre diesel and 217-276bhp 2.0-litre petrols are where it's at – they're favourites with the police and capable all-weather performers in four-wheel-drive form. Higher-powered diesels are rated to tow 2200kg, and they do so effortlessly.

With the 2019 facelift came a plug-in hybrid, the iV. Real-world electric range is around 30 miles, and while the batteries add weight and rob boot space, its 215bhp makes it a strong performer, and it doesn't cost a lot more as a used buy.

The standard six-speed manual gearbox is easy to use, and while the optional six- or seven-speed DSG dual-clutch autos are mostly fine, they can dither and are more expensive to fix if there's a fault.

The Superb could be optioned with adaptive dampers (look for ads that mention Dynamic Chassis Control or DCC), which boost suppleness in Comfort mode and firmness in Sport, but in all cases a Ford Mondeo of the same vintage has the edge when it comes to rounding out battered roads.

The Superb isn't exactly 'fun' to drive, but it's perfectly pleasant to smoke around in. On smaller wheels, refinement is on a par with premium rivals. We would avoid the Sportline with its 15mm suspension drop and 19in alloys unless you really can't forgo the kerb appeal.

Despite costing less than rivals such as the Vauxhall Insignia when new, used examples are now worth more on a like-for-like basis than even the Superb's posher cousin, the Volkswagen Passat. Don't let that put you off, though, because residual values should remain strong.

What to look for

Gearbox: Three main versions of the DSG gearbox were used in the Superb: a six-speed wet clutch, a seven-speed wet clutch and a seven-speed dry clutch. The dry-clutch unit – the DQ200 – is the one to avoid, typically fitted to lower-powered models, but double-check using the VIN (you might have to pay for this). Listen out for a metallic squeal as the gearbox changes up from first through to third. Even the other 'boxes should be serviced more regularly than VW suggests (some owners suggest 20,000 miles). Or buy a manual-equipped Superb for peace of mind.

Electrics: Check there are no messages about the Front Assist collision warning system, which can need recalibrating – expensively. The electric tailgate is also known to fail.

Tyres: Economy-oriented Greenline versions of the Superb have standard-fit stop/start ignition and brake energy recovery, along with longer gear ratios. Their low-rolling-resistance tyres are pricey, and used examples are unlikely to still be wearing them.

Haldex system: Replace the fluid and filter every three years/30,000 miles. At this age, the need for a new pump and O-rings is likely.

Also worth knowing

Entry-level S models look quite plain, with cloth seats, a small screen for the radio and a rather humdrum appearance. But the quality of the cabin materials is agreeable and you still get a good level of equipment (DAB radio, Bluetooth, air-con and cruise control). As you work your way up through SE, SEL, Sportline and finally L&K at the top, the Superb begins to feel like a true luxury car.