VAUXHALL'S Zafira Tourer has been around now since 2012, but it has been given numerous updates and revisions during that time and is still an excellent secondhand buy for people who need a seven seater.

It's a direct competitor to the Renault Grand Scenic and the VW Touran in the burgeoning mid-size MPV class and the clever Flex 7 seating system is still one of its strong points.

There are plenty out there so only go for the best one you can afford with the lowest mileage and never buy without full service history.

Latterly just three engines have been available - one petrol and two diesels.

The petrol is a 1.4 turbo with 140bhp that can cover the 0 to 62mph sprint in about ten seconds, while the diesels are 1.6 and 2.0-litres, with 134 or 170bhp.

The 1.6 covers the 62mph sprint in about 10.5 seconds while the 2.0-litre is a little quicker as you would expect.

All drive the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, but there is a six-speed automatic that's an extra cost option and works very well.

Probably the best choice for the majority of private buyers is the very good 1.6 diesel, which in fuel sipping EcoFlex guise will do a real 45 to 50mpg with low emissions of 119 grammes per kilometre.

This refined and quiet engine offers surprising performance, with good in-gear acceleration and a high top gear for effortless cruising.

The Zafira is not the most scintillating MPV to drive - that accolade goes to the Mazda5 as far as I'm concerned - but the Flexride chassis borrowed from the Insignia matches most of the others in the class to give decent handing and good road-holding.

It also gives an excellent ride, even when larger wheels and lower profile tyres are fitted, soaking up rough B-road surfaces in its strideand the steering is well-weighted at speed and through corners.

There is a bewildering array of trim options - 11 in all - so make sure that any you're interested in have everything you want. That said, even lower order cars have a good range of kit.

The mid-range SRi Nav I drove a couple of years ago came with climate, navigation, DAB radio with remote controls, Bluetooth, parking sensors, alarm, sports front seats, traction control, cruise and alloy wheels.

A facelift in 2016 brought a new interior and touchscreen, plus a sculptured steering wheel and small windows in the front pillars helping the already good visibility.

Pay about £7,500 for a '14 14-reg 1.4T Exclusiv with start stop, or £11,650 for a '16 16-reg 1.6CDTi diesel EcoFlex SRi Nav.