Jaguar XE is a brilliant alternative to the 3 Series and is available from £3,000

Gasoline engines: The first 2.0-liter gasoline cars used the Ford Ecoboost in a 197 HP or 237 HP version, with the name GTDI. Look for silver stripes on the engine cover. The latest JLR petrol Ingenium is proving reliable, as is the full V6.Gearbox: The gear selector that lifts up from the center console on pre-facelift cars can get stuck, preventing you from putting the car in drive. The cause is usually a weak battery or a faulty brake switch. The gearbox itself is the same excellent ZF eight-speed unit you’ll find in BMWs, while the six-speed manual (standard on diesels) is also fine.

Electricity: Play with the touch screen to make sure all the different menus and functions work. If it freezes, you will need to go to a Jaguar dealer for a software update. Buyers should be prepared to put up with some crashes and forced restarts from time to time.

It is also worth knowing

In addition to the facelift at the end of 2019, there were major model year updates from April 2017 (introduction of the Ingenium petrol range and additional standard kit) and in 2021 (new, mild and economical mild hybrid diesel). VED ranges from £35 a year for pre-2017 diesel engines to over £400 for the 335PS V6 petrol. Cars registered after April 2017 will all cost £200 a year, unless they cost more than £40,000 when new (the special edition 300 Sport is among the few that did), in which case they will incur an extra £440 until they are five years old.

How much to spend

£3000-£5999: First high mileage diesel engines. Avoid any that have not had regular services of at least 10,000 miles.

£6000-£10,999: A wide range of petrol and diesel pre-facelift vehicles. Many are in excellent condition and have been very well cared for.

£11,000-£19,999: V6 S and refreshed cars will be available here. An up-to-date maintenance service is still very important.

£20,000-£30,000: Recent examples including some 24 plates and attractive Reims specials in French racing blue.

One we found

Jaguar XE S, 2017, 53,000 miles, £16,940: This is arguably the peak XE, with the 2017 updates bringing a spicier 375bhp and louder exhaust, as well as some nicer materials. The annual VED is also reduced from £410 to £200. This example has a complete service history and many files documenting other work.