With the UK having some of the best offerings for used cars, we take a look at our most favourite of options – performance estates.

Wagons (estates) are the ultimate car, saloon levels of handling and performance with SUV levels of space. They are truly utilitarian and with manufacturers cutting back their portfolio, now is the best time to invest in a used performance hauler! Take a look at 5 of the best that come in at under £10,000.

Mercedes E55 AMG

The ultimate fast wagon? The S211 Mercedes E55 AMG was, and still is, a peach. Featuring a 5.4 supercharged V8 driving the rear wheels exclusively, this behemoth was built to crush long distances, and at speed.

Some models could be optioned with 7 seats, but they all came solely with the 5-speed automatic gearbox that frequented many Merc’s from this era.

Some sneak under £10,000, but if you’re really stretching, it may be worth looking at an E500 instead.

BMW 550i Touring

With the E61 BMW M5 firmly out of our price range, we’ll look at the smaller (and perhaps better?) 550i. Keeping the same formula as its big brother, the 550 retains RWD, manual and automatic options, copious amounts of space with an absolute thumper under the bonnet.

Sure, you don’t get the 5.0 V10 from the aforementioned, but you do get a lovely 362bhp 4.8 litre V8 in its place. With the V10 not being famed for reliability, this V8 sibling will be better on your wallet and be a true sleeper because most people have no idea what these are.

Some higher mileage examples are available for under £10,000.

Audi S6 Avant

Had your heart set on a V10 wagon? Why not take a look at the C6 Audi S6 Avant? This fruity little number came equipped with a 5.2 litre, naturally-aspirated V10 producing 429bhp, enough to get this dog carrier to 60mph in around 5.2 seconds.

To keep that power tamed, the S6 uses Audi’s famed Quattro AWD system. Now, you might think that the engine was derived from Lamborghini, but this is a common misconception. The engine is actually based off Audi’s own 4.2 V8.

Still, higher mileage cars scrape under £10K.

Volkswagen Passat 3.2 V6

Unfortunately the full fat R36 Passat doesn’t fall within budget, but the toned down 3.2 does. Thankfully, that engine comes straight out of the R32 Golf and features the narrow angle V6 (VR6 as it’s usually referred by). Power is a very healthy 250bhp, connected to a Haldex AWD system through a 6 speed DSG gearbox.

The look is completely unassuming, but this do-it-all hauler will hit 60mph in just over 7 seconds and go on to reach 150mph – all with that glorious exhaust note!

A good example will set you back around £7,000.

Volvo V60 3.0 T6

Safety, reliability and dependability. All the things that make a Volvo. Thankfully, the T6 is no exception. Built when the number after the T represented cylinder count, this perky little Swedish brute packs a transversely-mounted 3.0 straight 6 under the bonnet.

A 6.2 second 0-60mph time is courtesy of 300bhp (in a Volvo!) and super safe AWD. Due to how rare they are, many are Japanese imports so make sure all clocks have been changed over and it is all in English.

A couple to choose from that are under £10K, with respectable mileages.

Fancy a new wagon instead? Take a look at the best new performance longroofs on sale today by clicking here.