Our long-term 2.2-litre diesel Honda Accord estate has strolled past the 4000-mile mark with no hitches or glitches, although it is still proving a challenge to coax this six-speeder’s fuel consumption to above 41mpg, despite the official combined figure being nearly 48mpg.

There are many appliances of electronic science on this heavily equipped wagon. Likes include the handy opening and shutting of the hefty boot door via a key button, while a we don’t like it when the satnav causes confusion by displaying directions for two sets of two lanes on slip roads when there is only one.