When in the early 1990s sales of 4x4s started to boom, Ford, the biggest car brand in Britain, was in an awkward position. While Vauxhall, Honda, Daihatsu and Land Rover all had off-roaders to offer, Ford had nothing.

The company had a choice: develop a new 4x4 from scratch, which would be time-consuming and costly, or plump for a “quick and dirty” solution by working with another manufacturer to launch a model with dual badging. The decision was simple and the result was the Ford Maverick and its thinly disguised brother the Nissan Terrano.

Launched in July 1993, the Ford Maverick was available with a choice of two engines, a 2.4 litre 122bhp petrol unit or a 2.7 litre turbodiesel producing 98bhp. Stories of heavy fuel consumption on the petrol model started to spread and soon most buyers were opting for the diesel.

Revisions to the engine line-up came in 1996 and coincided with a revised front grille and some enhancements to the list of standard equipment. The diesel gained a 25% boost in power, nudging it to 123bhp, while the 2.4 litre petrol engine bizarrely suffered a power reduction to 114bhp. So if you want a diesel get a post-1996 model but if you want a petrol get a pre-1996 one.

The later vehicles have a chrome front grille, round headlamps and an air scoop on the bonnet.

The five-door Maverick is the most popular second-hand, thanks to a third row of seats that transforms the vehicle into a seven-seater — expect to pay about £500-£750 more for an equivalent five-door than for a three-door.

The Maverick comes with serious off-road potential with a limited slip differential, selectable four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer box and automatic locking front hubs. With this in mind it’s important to check a used Maverick for signs of off-road excursions. Signs are scuffed sills, scraped exhaust boxes and mud-filled underbody cavities. Check that the vehicle drives straight and doesn’t pull left or right under braking — an indication that steering and suspension could be damaged.

On the road the Maverick is a reasonable drive. It feels a little agricultural compared with more modern 4x4s, but while it’s certainly no Land Rover Defender the good visibility and high riding position give the impression of authority. Reliability is pretty good but an abused Maverick can bite back. It’s essential that engine oil is changed regularly, especially on diesels.

In 1999 production of the Nissan-derived Ford Maverick ceased. By the time the second-generation Maverick arrived in 2001 it was something of a white elephant and the absence of any diesel option was tacit acknowledgment by Ford that it was going to have a short life. So the original Maverick remains something of an oddball — a Nissan with a different name. Perhaps we should thank the Maverick for encouraging Ford’s investment in Land Rover and Range Rover — without it we would never have seen the new Discovery or Range Rover Sport. And that would have been a shame.

Clutch Pull away in third gear and the car should stall. If it doesn't then the clutch is slipping and needs replacing, a seven-hour job on a Maverick and a big bill to follow

Turbo Diesel engine is turbocharged so check for blue smoke when accelerating: a sign that the turbo needs replacing

Transmission Drive slowly on a good road surface to listen for transmission whines and groans, check the two-speed transfer box engages easily

Facelift 1996 facelift included chrome grille and bonnet scoop. The post-1996 diesel models are the most desirable

Security Ford did not fit alarm or immobiliser as standard

Servicing Diesel engines need an oil change every 5,000 miles. Anything less is a false economy and will shorten the life of the turbo and the engine

Air-conditioning A desirable option that many owners chose when the Maverick was new

Safety Side-impact protection beams standard

Front wheel bearings Tend to wear quickly so listen for grinding noise that changes as the vehicle quickens up

Long wheelbase Makes the Maverick a more practical seven-seater and improves the vehicle's looks

Brakes Check front discs for signs of pitting, grooves or ridges

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Ford Maverick 2.7TD GLS 5dr
Engine 2663cc, 4-cylinder turbodiesel
Power 123bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 26.9mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 16.7sec
Top speed 96mph

THE ONE TO BUY

Ford Maverick 2.7TD GLS five-door 1998 R registration with 60,000 miles. Pay £5,875 from a main dealer or £5,000 privately

OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY

1996 P-reg Nissan Terrano II 2.7 TDi SE

1997 P-reg Mitsubishi Shogun 2.8 GLX TD

1997 R-reg SsangYong Musso 2.9 GSE

1998 R-reg Land Rover Discovery TDi

1998 S-reg Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 TD

Values: Ford Maverick 2.7TD GLS five-door



Three-door models worth £500-£750 less than equivalent five-door ones. Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer