Valuations

 The oldest Patriots are now 12 years old, so are pretty affordable. You can get behind the wheel of a diesel with sensible miles for around £2000, though

£2500 is more realistic for a car in decent condition. That’s quite a lot for a car of its age and cheap compared to other SUVS, as this sector is renowned for strong residual values even in later life.

Petrol models are the exception. They’re not great to drive and demand is low, so the ones that do exist can often be found from £1500 upwards. That makes them a lot of car for the money. So if performance and refinement aren’t important to you and you don’t cover a huge mileage, then they can make a cheap, practical and unusual family wagon.

However, the Patriot is a car you buy with condition in mind rather than age or specification. The underbody corrosion issue is a big concern and there’s no way to predict which ones will rot and which ones won’t. Some rust really badly, others show very little signs of corrosion, so it all depends on the quality of the underseal and the batch of metal used. A roll around underneath is an absolutely critical part of any inspection. A solid 2007 car is a much safer bet than a 2010 one that shows signs of rust setting in, especially if you plan on keeping it for a few years. That said, age and spec still affect values: a good 2010 diesel will set you back north of £4500, or £5000 for one of the rare late versions with the Mercedes-benz 2.2 engine. These are actively sought after by those who like to tow, as the model won the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year award at launch.