Large 4x4s are never cheap to run. However, the prestige of the Mercedes-Benz badge and M-Class’ desirability should mean that values hold up well. Fuel consumption from the diesel V6 is average (30mpg in everyday driving) for a car of this size, although deeper pockets are needed for the ML500 – it manages 21mpg. Insurance is (unsurprisingly) high.

Lower-powered cars are in group 17, while the range-toppers are in 18, 19 and 20.

The M-Class performs badly on the eco front. With an average of 285g/km CO2 across the model line-up, its emissions are high. The 280 CDI and 320 CDI models are the greenest – facelifted version from late 2008 emit 246g/km of CO2 (previously 254g/km) and average 30mpg (previously 29mpg).

Mercedes-Benz’s reputation for high quality engineering and quality has taken a knock in recent years. However, the M-Class seems to show the firm is back on track. The plasticky interior of the old 1998-2005 car has been replaced by one that feels much higher quality. We’re expecting few – if any – mechanical problems.