When Renault introduced the new Laguna in December 2000 it was aimed at the company driver. The impressive list of standard equipment, attractive styling and reasonable price made it an instant hit. Three years on and decent numbers of used Lagunas are appearing on forecourts at around half the new price, so now could be an ideal time to pick up a bargain.

Externally the car is a radical departure from the previous model. The wide track and long wheelbase give it a mature, solid look. And those beefy curves aren’t just for show; under the skin the car is extraordinarily strong. All models boast ABS brakes, front, side and curtain airbags with Isofix rear seats (meaning child seats can be attached rigidly to the car). This impressive combination enabled the Laguna to be the first car to achieve five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests.

The car also boasts impressive equipment. Air-conditioning and keyless entry are standard and options such as tyre-pressure sensors, automatic wipers and automatic headlights are common on the higher specification Dynamique models.

But this advanced technology does not come without its difficulties and some owners have reported recurring electrical problems, including faulty tyre-pressure sensors, as well as leaking sunroofs. Buyers are also advised to check the heating and air-conditioning. If they aren’t covered by warranty they can be eye-wateringly expensive to repair.

But if you are looking for a comfy car, the Laguna is unlikely to disappoint. Motorway miles are dispatched with disdain and when you get to the twisty stuff its chassis displays impressive grip.

Sit inside and the Laguna feels big, with generous seats. Rear passengers, while not cramped, are a little less well accommodated and tall passengers will find headroom is compromised by the sporty roof.

Boot space isn’t enormous but all models have a useful folding rear seat split 60:40. An estate will cost an extra £600 but it offers little more space than the prettier hatchback.

Power for your used Laguna comes from a big range of petrol and diesel engines. The 1.6, 1.8, 2 and 3 litre petrol units are all pretty durable (although the 3 litre V6 gobbles fuel) with the 1.8 and 2 litre the most popular. But as so often with French cars the diesel units feel best.

Even the least-powerful diesel with 100bhp feels comfortable with the car’s 1,320kg kerb weight. Spend just a few hundred more on the 120bhp unit and the car feels positively sprightly. Both units are ridiculously economical, thanks in part to the six-speed manual gearbox. Driven carefully the car’s 70 litre fuel tank gives it a theoretical range of nearly 800 miles — that’s London to Glasgow and back without the need to visit a fuel station for anything more than Wine Gums.

Most low-mileage cars are handled through the Renault network but earlier cars are a popular choice for non-franchised dealers. Check the history carefully, particularly on diesels. Some cars will have covered huge distances in short periods and unscrupulous sellers may “correct the mileage”. With an 18,000-mile service interval you need to be suspicious of any car that is missing service stamps and does not come with the original service invoices.

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Renault Laguna 1.9dCi 120 Expression
Engine type Four-cylinder, 1870cc
Power 120bhp
Transmission Six-speed manual
Fuel 51.4mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 10.7sec
Top speed 125mph

Seats Height-adjustable driver and passenger seats standard on all models

Keyless entry Credit card-style key slots in dashboard; engine starts with pushbutton

Automatics In November 2002 four-speed automatic gearboxes were upgraded with much needed fifth gear

Engine Diesels are best; 3.0 V6 petrol is thirsty and not particularly quick

Accelerator pedal Pre-September 2001 models recalled for revised carpet clips to stop carpet jamming accelerator; check this has been done

Brakes Antilock braking comes as standard

Safety Standard front, side and curtain airbags helped make this the first car to achieve five-star Euro NCAP rating

Radio aerial Mounted in rear side-screen on estate cars, and prone to poor reception

Total sold in Britain 89,896

Rear seat 60:40 split-fold rear seat on all cars

Tyre-pressure sensors Owners report false readings and intermittent faults, so check carefully

Service history Beware gaps in history, the 18,000-mile service interval is already long enough

THE ONE TO BUY

Renault Laguna 1.9dCi 120 Expression hatch with six-speed manual gearbox, 2001 X-reg with 30,000 miles. Pay £7,650 at a dealer with 12-month warranty, or £6,750 privately

OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY...

2000 X-reg Ford Mondeo 2.0TD Zetec
2001 51-reg Citroen C5 2.0 HDi 110SX
2002 02-reg Peugeot 406 2.0 HDi 110GLX
2002 51-reg Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 DTi SRi 130
2001 X-reg Toyota Avensis 2.0 D4-D GLS

VALUES

Renault Laguna 1.9dCi 120 Expression



Source: CAP black book. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer pays for your car; ‘Retail’ is what you pay a dealer