Used Daewoo Tacuma review and buying guide (2000 to 2004): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Daewoo Tacuma should you buy?

Buy the Tacuma with the most complete servicing, whichever year it is. Daewoo's original dealer network collapsed in 2002, which could have left a car with a gap in its servicing, so a book that carries on unbroken through that year matters more than low miles or a later plate. There's not much else on record to separate one car from another.

The Tacuma was sold from 2000 to 2004, with a much-needed facelift for 2004 that sharpened up the looks. Nothing says the facelift changed anything mechanical, so don't pay extra for one expecting a better car underneath. If you're choosing between engines, the 1.8 and 2.0 petrols simply carry less risk than the 1.6, which is the only one with a warning against it.

Which Tacuma engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The 1.6 is the one to be wary of: its ECU has given trouble, leaving cars that won't run properly, and a shortage of parts makes a lasting repair close to impossible. That's a single warning rather than a long list of complaints, but it's the only engine note there is, and the 1.8 and 2.0 aren't proven sound so much as less flagged. All three are petrols.

A 4-speed automatic was offered on the 2.0 CDX. Nothing on record points to a gearbox fault, auto or manual, but there isn't much on record at all, so don't read silence as proof it's tough. On an automatic, drive it until it's fully warm and check every shift comes through cleanly, without slipping or a thump.

What should you check when viewing a used Tacuma?

Ask for proof both recalls were done. The 2002 one replaced the front brake hoses, because their outer rubber could crack and leak brake fluid. The 2003 one fitted improved connectors where the petrol feed and return pipes join the fuel rail, since they could come loose and leak petrol. Sniff for petrol under the bonnet and look for damp fluid marks behind the front wheels.

Go through the service book page by page and look hard at 2002 and the years after. A car that skipped visits when the network fell apart and never caught up is one to leave. On a 1.6, start it from cold and drive it for a good while: if it stutters, hesitates or won't idle evenly, don't buy it hoping someone can fix it.

Check the centre rear seat if a child will sit there, because it only has a lap belt. The parcel shelf won't come out until the rear seats are folded forward, so fold them down and back up to make sure they don't stick. The rear load sill is high, which is worth trying with a pushchair or heavy bag before you commit.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What do Tacuma owners like about them?

There's plenty of room inside, and it's built better than the Daewoos that came before it. The driver's seat adjusts for height and has lumbar support, so getting comfortable isn't hard, and the front passenger seat swivels, which makes it easier to deal with children in the back.

It rides and handles quite well for a tall car, so it doesn't feel like a box on wheels. Storage is thought through too: there are drawers under the seats and fold-down tables on the backs of the front seats, which keep children's things tidy and within reach on a long journey.

• The Daewoo Tacuma is a Scenic-sized mini MPV, measuring 4,350mm long and 1,755mm wide.
• The Tacuma offers a spacious interior with good ride comfort and decent handling, showing improved build quality over previous Daewoo models.