The Alfa Romeo 147 has been on sale in the UK for seven years and over that period has helped the Italian company redefine its public image.

Before the 147 an Alfa Romeo was considered by many to be a risky and slightly eccentric purchase, particularly on the used-car market once the vehicle’s warranty had expired. The cars may have looked good but they were notoriously unreliable and not very durable.

But in the space of a single model’s lifetime the Alfa Romeo family has undergone a transformation; the marque now offers not only beautiful, but also well engineered saloons, coupés, convertibles and hatchbacks that are as good as any of their mainstream competitors.

Voted European Car of the Year in 2001, the 147 underwent some significant revision in its 2005 update. The task of making an already pretty car even more attractive is never easy to pull off, but the Alfa Romeo designers managed to do just that.

At the front are triple-cluster lights and a new style of bumper, while around the back there’s an attractive chrome strip along the lip of the reprofiled tailgate. A new bumper and larger boot-lid badge complete the exterior changes.

Slip inside the cabin and you’ll no doubt find that the latest 147 is equally impressive. The fit and finish of the dashboard and switchgear were improved as part of the 2005 revisions, such that now the 147’s interior even feels as if it’s a grade above that of most European competitors, and certainly significantly ahead of many Far Eastern competitors.

The 147 is nothing if not a drivers’ car. On the road its taut chassis inspires confidence, while the standard-fit Vehicle Dynamic Control system – Alfa’s home-grown answer to ESP (electronic stability program) – keeps you going in the direction you’d always intended.

Some models of the facelifted Alfa provide the option of a Comfort pack, which produces a softer ride thanks to revised suspension-damper settings.

The standard manual gearbox is a delight to use, but the optional automatic, which was only available on the 2 litre petrol version, failed to sell in large numbers and so was phased out towards the end of 2005.

The revamped 147 also featured a lineup of more powerful diesel engines. The 115bhp 1.9 litre unit was upgraded to 120bhp and joined by a potent 150bhp version.

All that power and a useful 225 lb ft of torque at just 2000rpm ensure that the diesel pulls strongly. The 0-60mph sprint takes just 8.8sec, quick enough to scare many petrol-powered hot hatches, but it’s the car’s refinement when it’s cruising in sixth gear that really makes this model the Alfa 147 to buy.

Power from the petrol-engine models remained unchanged, but it is worth noting that the 1.6 litre unit in the 147 Twin Spark produces just 105bhp, while the 1.6 of the Tourismo and Lusso produce 120bhp.

Equipment levels are pretty generous, with all cars featuring climate control, an alarm system and six airbags. All but entry-level TS models also have alloy wheels.

The optional leather upholstery proved popular among buyers thanks to a reasonable price of less than £1,000, so it’s worth looking around to find a used example fitted with it, as it adds greatly to the feel and desirability of the car.

The optional – and rather expensive – factory-ordered sat nav system is rarely found on used cars, so owners tend to have to make do with a portable unit instead.

In 2009 the 147 is destined to be succeeded by the new 149. But what owners of a used 147 will already know is that theirs is the car that saw the transformation of Alfa Romeo from a maker of desirable but unreliable cars that were all too often a liability, into a producer of truly world-class ones.

Servicing Due every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Check for dealer stamps and copies of original repair invoices

Upholstery Leather seats a desirable option on all models

Alloy wheels An Alfa on steel wheels just looks wrong; fortunately all but the base model gets alloys as standard

Colours The 147 is one of the few modern cars that looks great in bright red and other solid finishes

Audio Standard system works well, while optional Bose system is superb

Onboard computer Operated from the stalk, it provides information about average speed, fuel economy and tank range

Bonnet Prone to stone chips; check for damage to lower lip of front bumper and cracked foglamp lenses

Safety Six airbags as standard but the 147 only achieved three stars in the Euro NCAP test for adult occupant safety

Tyres Check inside edge of front tyres for wear, a sign the steering is misaligned

Boot Boot is smaller than in some rivals

Puddle lights Underdoor illumination and headlamp delay system are useful when parking at night

Vital statistics

Model Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD Lusso

Engine 1910cc, four cylinders

Power 150bhp

Transmission Six-speed manual

Fuel 47.9mpg (combined)

Acceleration 0-60mph: 8.8sec

Top speed 129mph

CO2 emissions 157g/km

Road tax band D (£140 for 12 months)

Cost new today £19,050

The one to buy A 2006 06 Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD Lusso five-door with 20,000 miles. Pay £11,750 at an Alfa dealer or £11,000 privately

Values

Mileage 10,000 20,000 40,000 2005 05

Trade £9,225 £8,775 £7,900

Retail £11,095 £10,650 £9,775

2006 06 Trade £10,250 £9,725 £8,800

Retail £12,250 £11,750 £10,795

2007 07 Trade £11,200 £10,650 £9,600

Retail £13,150 £12,595 £11,595

Or for similar money

2005 55 Volkswagen Golf 1.9 Sport TDI 5dr

2006 55 Citroën C4 2.0 HDi Exclusive 5dr

2006 55 Honda Civic 2.2i-CDTi SE 5dr

2006 06 Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Titanium 5dr

2007 07 Vauxhall Astra 1.9 CDTi SRi 5dr