THE BMW X5 is one of the easiest driving and best handling 4x4's on the road, not to mention the one which has all the big BMW image.

BMW took their time building a 4x4 but they designed a great looker that has sold like hot cakes across Europe.

Of course, such originally expensive cars come with expensive tastes in fuel, insurance, servicing and parts.

And buying an X5 secondhand needs some ground rules. Never touch one unless it has full service history and you are convinced it is honest.

Petrol engines in the last model built between 2007 and 2013 were 3.0-litre with 268bhp, 4.8 with 350, 4.4 with 402 and 4.4 with 547.

Diesels are all 3.0-litre, with a choice of 231, 241, 281, 301 or 375bhp. It's amazing what you can do with electronics and turbochargers isn't it.

All ride superbly, handle very well for big vehicles and come with either rear wheel drive or four wheel drive and a standard six or eight-speed automatic gearbox..

Basic spec is good, with almost everything most drivers could want and interior space is massive. Don't pay over the odds and remember, it's only a soft roader.

Petrols will only give 22mpg wheras diesels can manage 34. Most will have been kitted out with umpteen extras by the first owner to "personalise" their car.