DISCOVERY 3

Come on, admit it. You didn’t realise you could pick up a Discovery 3 for £5000, did you? But it’s true. It seems like only yesterday, but it is 14 years since the D3 was launched and the early models are now within our price range. The third-gen Disco got some bad press early in its career when water got into some vital electrics, but this was soon fixed and everything went swimmingly thereafter.

Make no mistake about it: this is without doubt the most versatile vehicle ever built by Land Rover. It has three rows of forward-facing seats, seating seven adults, which can be folded flat into the floor to create an awesome load space comparable to a Transit van.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Discovery 3 boasts astonishing off-road ability and is a peerless tow vehicle.

Unlike its predecessors, this Discovery does not have any rust issues, but what it does have is a powerful V6 diesel engine supplying 190 bhp and 324 lb-ft. Better still, it looks as fresh today as it did when it was unveiled in 2004. Many would argue that it’s a lot better looking than the fifth-generation model, launched last year. It is a timeless classic – and it can be yours for £5000.

TIP: Check the paperwork / past history. Like all Land Rovers, the Discovery 3 thrives on meticulous adherence to recommended service intervals.