one careful owner

By comparison to the new Peugeot 407 or the futuristic-looking Renault Megane, the first generation of Toyota's Avensis might deservedly be criticised for being plain, bland or bleak.

But just like Poirot's faithful companion Hastings, it is dependable, reliable and trustworthy. In other words it is a car that will get the family from A to B with the minimum of fuss. If you want rasping engine noises or screaming exhaust sounds, don't buy an Avensis.

Towards the end of the last century, I had a Carina which got the chop by Toyota when it brought out the Avensis. It had given me no bother other than a leaky radiator. On the clock was 220,000 genuine miles and although its engine was running well and it was using a perfectly acceptable pint of oil every 1000 miles, I decided to let someone else have the pleasure of its 500,000 and 1,000,000 mile celebrations.

In its place I went for more of the same and the Avensis became my new companion. It, too, was unstriking in looks but that didn't particularly bother me because I reckoned that it would be very well engineered to compensate. I bought this car in 1999 however this model had been around for almost a couple of years.

When it was launched it came with three body styles, four engines and a choice of manual or auto transmission. A lot of the plumbing had been lifted from the Carina so before it turned a wheel it had been tried and tested and had proven reliability.

Engines available then were absolutely adequate, however, in 2000 when the car was given a minor facelift a new range of engine fittings were available. This saw the introduction of Toyota's Variable Valve Timing system (VVTi), in its petrol engines and a common rail diesel unit that boosted power from a sluggish 89bhp to 109bhp.

A post-2000 Avensis with a VVTi engine is going to be more expensive but it is the best buy. Cosmetic changes at this time included the not uncommon trend for designers to mess about with headlamps, front grille and rear lamp clusters. Inside, the passenger cabin was revamped with a range of materials that gave it more of a quality feel. And a trip computer and satellite navigation system marked the beginning for Toyota of some worthy goodies cascading in from above.

Your automotive juices will hardly ignite when you're behind the wheel of the Avensis because it is a car whose main mission is to return a reliable performance. It is not a sporty machine with drilled out pedals and Recaro seats and it doesn't particularly suit a rear fin or side skirts.

What you get is a quiet and pleasant drive, where wind and road wheel noise are effectively suppressed, and decently responsive handling. You will also get favourable economy and if you sit at around one mile per minute it is quite possible to achieve 56mpg from the 1.8 (non-VVTi) petrol engine.

At five years old, my Avensis is still going strong. Last week I spent (pounds) 70 on a valet and its appearance has been totally rejuvenated. Carpets and upholstery have regained their pile, it smells nice and the tar that was stuck to the sills and lower wings has all been removed.

It is like new and the only thing that betrays its age, apart from the year 2000 cosmetic changes, is a little bit of rust. Above the windscreen, at the edge of the roof there's about seven or eight inches of rust. It is a mystery as to why this has appeared. The windscreen has not been replaced and the car has not been put through automatic washes and why it has happened may be the source of some future investigation.

I would suggest to any buyer of a second-hand Toyota not to be frightened by high mileage. This may merely mean that the car has resided on the motorway for most of its life, clocking up miles in one gear and at one speed. It may never have been near the high street where it will do more stops and starts and gear changes than on a journey from Penrith to Perth.

Reliability and longevity are certainly good reasons to buy a second-hand Avensis. My car recently clocked up 160,000 miles and in this time its major organs are still intact. Brake shoes and a new set of tyres about every eight months have been the main expense but exhaust, battery and all the other components are genuine original working parts.

toyota avensis

What we like: Practical family car that just goes and goes.

Don't like: Looks aside it is irritatingly perfect.

Which one to buy: There are many ex-fleet high-mileage bargains pre-2000 but best of bunch is the 1.8 VVTi GLS on X-plate at around (pounds) 6500. Look for full service history and lowish mileage at this price (round about 10,000

miles a year).

others - X-plate

Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX

Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 LS

Mazda 626 GXi

Renault Laguna 1.8

Peugeot 406 1.8 GLX