THE second-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been noted for its top-notch style factor in the premium sector ever since it hit the streets in 2007.

To keep it fresh, the car received mid-term refit in 2011, and the end result was it became more appealing not only to image-minded company executives seeking out a classy, reliable workhorse, but to style-conscious younger buyers whose normal wheels of choice tended to be an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series.

While its main competitors may still have kept the upper hand as far as sales go, the revised C-Class was to prove it too could mix it with the best.

Great to drive and with a host of on-board features which made it one of the safest places in which to travel, a huge choice of both petrol and diesel power plants in three trim levels meant there was a model that suited all tastes and budgets.

To coincide with its facelift - which on the outside included new bumpers and redesigned grille incorporating a more pronounced version of the famous three-pointed star - a new C180 BlueEFFICIENCY petrol engine was added to the range.

For those seeking out an economical yet stylish petrol-powered used executive express, then this is certainly one offering that simply shouldn't be overlooked.

Like all Mercedes cars, the C-Class screams quality, and with a totally revised interior, with new-look dashboard which included an integrated coloured media screen, Mercedes made a mega leap forward in the quality of the car's onboard switchgear and fittings, which had previously let it down somewhat.

A smooth and quiet machine that's just right for any occasion, the introduction of BlueEFFICIENCY engines improved fuel economy enormously, with the 2,143cc C220 CDI oil-burner's official figures set at 68.9mpg for the combined cycle.

Pumping out 168bhp, the sleek four-door saloon could accelerate from 0-62mph in a highly-impressive 8.4 seconds, emitting a lowly 117g/km of CO2 emissions.

Do your homework correctly and you should be able to find a used example fitted with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. With its silky-smooth gear changes, it transforms the car into a true up-market machine that's more fitting for a car of this class.

And for those who find saloon cars a bit mundane for their tastes, then there is always a more practical sports tourer estate car or sleek sporty coupe to choose from.

A 2011 61-plate C-Class C220 diesel BlueEFFICIENCY in entry-level SE trim will have a price tag somewhere between £8,890 and £11,725, while the price of a 2012 example on a 12-plate will come in at between £10,510 and £13,330.

A 1.6-litre C180 BlueEFFICIENCY SE petrol example of similar age and condition as the above diesel models will be priced from £7,815 to £10,515 when sporting a 11-plate and from £9,420 and £12,065 with a newer 12-plate.

Estate models will add between £450 and £900 to the above prices, while coupe versions which came in higher spec AMG Sport trim will carry an even higher premium of between £2,000 and £2,500.