WITH the pressure to cut prices growing on sellers of bigger-engine 4x4s and models with high CO2 emissions, is there an opportunity for the humble estate to enjoy a renaissance?

As a load-lugger or a family-mover, the average estate car offers greater cargo capacity than an MPV or off-roader.

And if you’re looking for a car that makes a statement, the premium manufacturers all produce well-specified and attractive estates.

As with other sectors, used prices have been under pressure in 2008, and now could be a very good time to buy, advises one of Britain’s leading motor auction groups.

The average price of an estate car put up for sale at British Car Auctions (BCA) has fallen by almost £2,000 in 2008, from £8,000 in February to £6,225 in June. Average values for premium estates have also fallen this year, from about £12,000 earlier in 2008 to about £10,500 at the mid-year point. Put another way, that’s up to 20 per cent more car for your money,” says BCA spokesman Tim Naylor. BCA’s experience is that estate buyers and owners are often older motorists, who expect a good degree of comfort and specification.

Diesel estates are also popular with caravan owners, says Naylor, who need the torque and pulling power as well as the extra space. The Kennel Club crowd are also big fans of estates he says. “Walk around Birmingham’s NEC car parks during the annual Crufts show for proof of that.”

The high-specification premium models could be an alternative for well-heeled family buyers, as they make a statement, as well as being eminently practical. Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Saab and Volvo estates have held their values better than most, but are now more affordable than ever.

“The higher-spec volume-model estates are also very desirable, and represent excellent value in the current climate,” said Mr Naylor. Based on recent prices at BCA, buyers with £5,000 to spend could choose from a range of three to four-year-old diesel estates, such as the Citroën C5 HDi 110, Ford Mondeo Ghia TDCi, Peugeot 407 1.6 HDi 110, Renault Laguna DCi Sport Tourer, Vauxhall Vectra 2.0 DTi or VW Passat Trendline.

“If you’re looking to buy, go for a good metallic colour, such as silver, green, blue, or even grey, but avoid flat colours and the more obvious utilitarian colour schemes. Black can look funereal on an estate, so is probably best avoided, too,” he says.

Base-specification models will be harder to sell later down the line, so get the best specification you can afford. On premium models, go for the bells and whistles - full leather interior, heated seats with memory, sat-nav, climate control, and good quality in-car entertainment.

“When looking for a family car it is very easy to buy something bland. The logic is that you need something practical, that’s not to expensive, so it has to be dull. But there are lots of large family cars on the used market for under £7,000,” Naylor says.