Picking out a large family estate that won't break the bank

In search of the best big used load-lugger from £7000, Rob Adams tests the Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 508 and Skoda Superb

Families who know swear by large estates. Yes, stylish SUVs are all well and good, but if you have loads of people and stuff to move, only an estate car will do. The bigger, the better. And, as they’re families, the best value the better, too. Enter these three used estates, which you can pick up from £8000 or less.

The Ford Mondeo Estate needs no introduction, and the Peugeot 508 SW is a stylish big load-lugger from the popular French brand. A more recent star, however, is the Skoda Superb estate, a vehicle famed for its massive boot. It costs a little more than the other two though: is it worth it?

We’re testing all with 1.6-litre turbodiesels, which aren’t as underpowered as they may sound. The Mondeo is the best performer, making the Superb feel a bit flat, while the 508 is spoiled by its standard semi-automatic gearbox, which is jerky and slow to change gear.

And while the Peugeot handles well, its steering is too heavy and the harsh suspension isn’t particularly family-friendly. The Mondeo shows how it’s done, with fantastic steering, perfectly handling and a supple ride. The Superb is less fun; it loves motorways but is firm in town and leans in corners. Mind you, the Mondeo beats both of them for high-speed refinement.

If you’re buying on statistics, you’ll choose the Superb for its enormous boot. In practice though, the Mondeo is better-shaped, with more length and width that boosts its practicality. The 508 is better than its so-so on-paper figures suggest too: it’s able to trade blows with the other two in certain areas, even if it’s the smallest overall.

Folding the seats and loading things in is easiest overall in the Mondeo; the Superb has a big load lip to haul things over, and the folded seats in the 508 SW don’t lie completely flat. All are spacious for passengers though, even the most compact of the trio, the Peugeot. The Mondeo is massive and the Superb beats even that. They all have upmarket-feeling dashboards too.

There’s a surprise when it comes to costs: the one model traded above all on value, the Skoda, is the most expensive to buy secondhand. Indeed, with its value price and sheer ubiquity, you’ll find it much easier to locate and do a deal on a Mondeo than the others. The Skoda also trails for fuel economy, by some margin: its higher CO2 emissions also equal a £135 a year road tax bill, compared to £30 for the Mondeo and just £20 for the frugal 508.

At least the Superb is proving reliable, although neither is exactly bad in this regard, even the Peugeot which can suffer from the odd electrical niggle. The 508 is the cheapest to service and Peugeot dealers will do lower-cost deals for older car owners.

Ultimately though, that’s not enough to place the 508 SW in the lead. It’s fun to drive and good value, but it’s not practical enough when compared to the others: as this is a key test for estate cars, it must trail them here. This places the Skoda in second, which wins points for its massive boot and classy cabin.

It can’t topple the commodious Mondeo, though, particularly when you factor in purchase and running costs. It can’t justify the extra when it’s up against an all-rounder this talented. If you want a voluminous, fun-to-drive estate car that’s also the best value for money, look no further. It really is a clear winner here.

Specifications: Ford Mondeo Estate 1.6 TDCI Zetec (5 stars)

Engine size 1.6-litre diesel
List price when new £21,945
Price today £7000
Power 114bhp
Torque 199lb ft
0-60mph 12.4sec
Top speed 113mph
Fuel economy 65.6mpg (Official average)
CO2 emissions 114g/km

Specifications: Skoda Superb Estate 1.6 TDI 105 SE (4 stars)

Engine size 1.6-litre diesel
List price when new £21,685
Price today £8000
Power 103bhp
Torque 184lb ft
0-60mph 13.1sec
Top speed 112mph
Fuel economy 54.3mpg (Official average)
CO2 emissions 133g/km

Specifications: Peugeot 508 SW 1.6 e-HDi Active (4 stars)

Engine size 1.6-litre diesel
List price when new £21,975
Price today £7000
Power 110bhp
Torque 202lb ft
0-60mph 13.8sec
Top speed 117mph
Fuel economy 67.2mpg (Official average)
CO2 emissions 110g/km

Price today is based on a 2011 model with average mileage and full service history, correct at time of writing. Rob Adams is a writer for WhatCar.