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Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

MERIVA

Pricey in comparison to some, but it's still a very good all-rounder

Used Vauxhall Meriva MPV 2003 - 2010

Compare the Meriva's price with those of other superminis and you'll see that the Vauxhall is noticeably more expensive. Weigh this against the car you get for your cash, however, and it takes some of the sting out.

The space and practicality you'll get for your money is well worth the extra, and when you compare it to similar cars like the Renault Modus and Nissan Note, it's a far more level playing field.

Pick the right engine and you'll enjoy low running costs. Our favourite 1.4 will return an average of 44.1mpg and you'll pay a group 4 insurance premium. The 1.7 diesel will costs more to insure (it's in group 6), but you'll get 53.3mpg.

The rest of the engines, even the sporty VXR, will all return at least 35mpg although this model has group 12 insurance.

Pricey in comparison to some, but it's still a very good all-rounder

There's a good range of engines, and even the smallest are fine for the job, with enough power and flexibility to make purposeful progress, at the same time as incurring only low running costs. The entry-level 1.4 petrol is perfectly adequate, and the 1.6 and 1.8 petrol engines are even more punchy.

Of the two diesels, the 1.3 CDTi is a bit slow, but the 1.7 CDTi offers lots more grunt, especially in the mid-range. However, prices for these diesel models are steep, so most people will be better off going for one of the petrols instead.

From the various trims, we'd recommend Club (called Enjoy on early models) because it gives you all the kit you need, such as air-con, electric front windows, remote central locking and a CD player, without costing you the earth.

Lower-spec models miss out on some essential equipment, such as air-con, and the higher-spec Design model costs too much.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.

Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.

But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.

Recent reliability surveys have placed Vauxhall consistently in the middle of the table. However, Vauxhall's newer cars, of which the Meriva is one, have shown a marked improvement over the older models.

Indeed, most Merivas have proved to be impressively reliable. All you really need to watch is the power steering system, as some have been known to cause problems in the past; and, check the service history to see if any work has been carried out on the system.

Also, check whether the engine of the car you're considering has a cambelt. If it does, make sure that it was changed at 40,000 miles, because leaving this job can have serious effects. If you're considering a car that's done less than 40,000 miles, make sure the job isn't forgotten when you get it serviced.

Few superminis can offer as much space and versatility as the Meriva. Its MPV-like design means there's plenty of room inside, while the clever FlexSpace seating system allows you to move all three rear seats independently of each other. They even fold flat into the floor to provide a maximum load capacity of 1410 litres. This level of practicality is tough to beat, even outside the supermini market.

Surprisingly, despite the Meriva's tall stance, it handles well, with little lean in corners, and the supple suspension also provides a comfortable ride. Refinement is good, too, although you're aware of some wind noise in the cabin at speed.

To complete the picture, the Meriva feels very sturdily built, even if the materials used aren't particularly appealing. On the downside, the lower-spec models miss out on too much equipment and forward visibility is extremely poor because of thick windscreen pillars.

Used Vauxhall Meriva MPV 2003 - 2010 reliability

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Used Vauxhall Meriva MPV 2003 - 2010 review

Recent reliability surveys have placed Vauxhall consistently in the middle of the table. However, Vauxhall's newer cars, of which the Meriva is one, have shown a marked improvement over the older models.,Indeed, most Merivas have proved to be impressively reliable. All you really need to watch is the power steering system, as some have been known to cause problems in the past; and, check the service history to see if any work has been carried out on the system.,Also, check whether the engine of the car you're considering has a cambelt. If it does, make sure that it was changed at 40,000 miles, because leaving this job can have serious effects. If you're considering a car that's done less than 40,000 miles, make sure the job isn't forgotten when you get it serviced.

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